Former coach and selector Mickey Whelan believes Dublin have developed an ability to cope with pressure situations.

The All-Ireland champions and league holders bared their teeth when the pressure was on in the second half of Sunday's NFL semi-final clash with Cork at Croke Park and Whelan points to the added belief that the current crop possesses:

"Look, belief is the only thing that really stopped them when they were winning five Leinster championships," he suggests.

"It was in the mind, really. When they got out of Leinster, there was no safety net. So they had to learn how to win without that.

"And the year that we came through the back door and were beaten by Cork in semi-final, that year, they won five games that if they lost, they were out. So that was a great experience for them. They learned how to win under pressure.

"If you're the best team this year, why can't you be the best team next year? So it has to be in the head. So if you get that side of it right, and I think Dublin have it right at the minute.

"Don't get carried away. They'll be talking about breaking up Dublin. Did they say anything about Kilkenny when they won eight titles? Do you know what I mean?

"You just have to take it as it goes. Nobody is getting carried away in Dublin who are associated with the team. This team believes they can beat anybody." Tweet

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