Flynn sees Louth as "fancied team" for Leinster SFC final

Tommy Durnin of Louth celebrates after kicking a late two-pointer against Kildare ©INPHO/James Lawlor

Former Dublin star Paul Flynn reckons Louth will be “the fancied team” when they meet Meath in Sunday week’s Leinster senior football championship final at Croke Park.

Conall McKeever’s goal proved the difference as Ger Brennan’s side edged out Kildare by 1-18 to 0-18 in Tullamore yesterday to reach their third provincial decider in as many years, while the Royals delivered the performance of their season to end Dublin’s 15-year dominance in the Delaney Cup race with a famous 0-23 to 1-16 victory in Portlaoise on the same afternoon.

While was speaking on The Sunday Game last night, Flynn said that the repeat 2010 final in the eastern province is an exciting one and feels that it’ll come down to who can best manager the big occasion.

"Meath will probably go in as favourites after toppling the Dubs but if you were to ask me, I think Louth will be the fancied team," said the six-time All-Ireland winner.

"Louth got over the hoodoo when beating Meath in the group stage of the championship in Inniskeen last year.

"They have leaders who stepped up today and Craig Lennon got two goals in that game last year. It's so exciting and it's about who can manage the occasion the best.

“For Louth it's their third Leinster final in a row which is really impressive. It shows their consistency at provincial level and where their trajectory is at. But now there are no more moral victories, they have to go and win it. That's what will be on their minds and they have to manage that occasion."