Peter Canavan: Dublin Captain Alone Enough To Stop Leinster Teams Catching Up

Tyrone legend Peter Canavan believes that another team other than Dublin winning the Leinster championship this season is "wishful thinking."

Wicklow put up a very respectable fight against the Dubs last weekend, as Dessie Farrell is hoping to guide his team to their 15th consecutive provincial title in a row.

The reigning champions have taken a big hit over the summer with superstars such as Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion, Mick Fitzsimons and more all retiring or stepping away from the panel.

However, even with their squad thinned so drastically, Canavan told RTE Sport that the form of Con O'Callaghan alone is enough to make sure that other teams don't close the gap

"When you see the calibre of player they are without at the minute, they are not at the level they were a few years ago.

"Against Tyrone, in their last league game, defensively there were questions asked of them. Wicklow scored 18 points against them on Sunday.

"Teams against them will go in thinking that maybe they can hurt them, but you always felt they had the ability against Wicklow to step it up when required.

"Against better opposition, if they didn’t have Con O’Callaghan on the field, then I would say the likes of Kildare and Meath would certainly feel that they could put it up to them and take them, but I still think there is a gulf in class there.

"Dublin are still a good bit ahead of the pack."

Meath are two divisions above Wicklow, and are the next in line to test Dublin's resolve, but they have had issues as wel with coaches leaving the panel, and a poor end to their league campaign.

If the capital were to defeat Meath, then they would meet either Kildare or Louth in the final.

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