It’s only three years since Dublin and Donegal treated us to an enthralling All-Ireland semi-final that the Dubs eventually won, 0-8 to 0-6. OK, enthralling is not the right word. It was as poor a game of football played at that level for many years, but it served a purpose. It prompted much of the rule changes initiated since – all intended to stop total defence-orientated football.

We have come a long way since that match – and both teams have won All-Irelands.

Two years ago, the Ulster champions took the lessons learned from the previous year and went all the way. They took a couple of decent scalps on the way, including Tyrone, Cork, Mayo and a Kerry team that contained both Colm Cooper and James O’Donoghue.

Dublin haven’t done so bad either. All that’s happened to them is their transformation into the greatest football team that has ever played. OK, we exaggerate slightly, but within the Pale the expectation around this team is reaching unrealistic proportions.

So, can they be stopped? Of course they can. The only issue is when. If they are as good as their supporters suspect, this mightn’t happen until 2019/’20 and they have seven or eight All-Irelands wrapped up. If you’re a Donegal man, woman or child, you’d be thinking it will be on Sunday.

I don’t think it will be this Sunday, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it is a Sunday this September.

This semi-final should be tactically fascinating. Defensively, Donegal will need a superhuman effort that must be provided by the hungriest team Croke Park will have seen in some time. The work rate and will to run themselves into the ground for as long as they can will underpin any chance they have of unsettling Dublin.

They will be helped by the lack of respect they pay the Dubs. This year we have seen Dublin’s opponents walk onto the field already beaten. Donegal won’t do that.

On their march to the All-Ireland in 2012, Donegal developed a style that saw them defend in huge numbers and then instantly attack with something close to the same support. Their middle-third activity was tigerish and their best efforts will be needed here to stifle Dublin.

The biggest mark in Dublin’s favour is the elimination of the third-man “contact”. Movement and support of the player in possession is a key part of Dublin’s modus operandi. Taking the passer out with a shoulder or another form of obstruction has been dealt with via the threat of a black card and this has suited Jim Gavin’s side. Dublin’s swarm attack has benefited greatly from this relatively new form of protection and they are engineering multiple scoring opportunities. It appears everyone has a licence to go forward under Jim Gavin and if that isn’t enough to worry about, their depth can see the likes of Cormac Costello and Dean Rock introduced to really pile on the misery in the last 20 minutes. Even fit again, brilliant Johnny Cooper is finding it difficult to regain his place on the starting 15 after injury.

Throw in the Brogans, Michael Darragh MacAuley, Diarmuid Connolly, Paul Flynn, Eoghan O’Gara, Kevin McMenamon and a goalkeeper that gives his team almost guaranteed possession from accurate kick-outs and, yes, there is a strong case to be made for Dublin.

On Donegal’s side, Jim McGuinness has run his customary tight ship this year and, as per usual, there have been a couple of high-profile casualties along the way, including 2012 All-Star Mark McHugh. This would hinder some counties but Donegal have sailed on. Jimmy apparently wins matches in such circumstances.

The personnel available to the manager this year has changed slightly, although he can still field a couple of big-game performers in Michael Murphy, Paddy McBrearty, Karl Lacey and Colm McFadden, but the supporting cast is probably a little thin for this job.

I don’t subscribe just yet to Dublin’s sheer invincibility but there can be no doubting their quality and potential. All of that will be enough to dispose of the Ulster champions but don’t be surprised if they make heavy weather of it.

Kingdom momentum

Mayo’s immediate reaction to the news that their semi-final replay would be played in Limerick worries me about their state of readiness for Saturday. In the immediate aftermath of a drawn game, the replay can be won, with body language and reaction crucial. You must always be happy with the draw, express relief at the second chance and then behind closed doors say what’s really on your mind.

Mayo manager James Horan allowed himself to be drawn into a controversy that really should be left to administrators. The Mayo County Board’s objections were then made public and the public impression already is that Kerry have a huge advantage in the Gaelic Grounds.

Is it just me or are the GAA getting an unfair lashing here? Some of the hyperbole from typically knee-jerk reactionaries like Joe Brolly has been ridiculous. There was a contingency plan; this is it. Limerick will be packed, it will be novel and it will drip with atmosphere. Should all semi-finals be played in Croke Park? Of course they should – this one was. It is the replay that is moving. Like Dublin and Cork did in 1983, like the hurlers of Clare and Offaly did in 1998.

The GAA bashers never cease to amaze with their level of vitriol reacting like this is the end of the world as we know it. It isn’t. Get on with it.

Mayo were the better team in the drawn match and that team usually closes the deal the second day. Believe it or not, Páirc na nGael is a smaller pitch than Croke Park, so who will that suit? I’d harbour a guess that Mayo’s strength would be an advantage here.

Kerry’s team selection surprised on Sunday. Declan O’Sullivan did not impress on being introduced but Kieran Donaghy most certainly did. Is there 70 minutes in him? Éamonn Fitzmaurice will have to think about that. James Horan has to think about starting his captain Andy Moran, who was direct and excellent when brought in.

This should be fascinating and the weather and a 5pm start could have an effect too, because the setting sun in the Gaelic Grounds can be blinding.

In a game of such tight margins, I’m leaning towards Kerry and away from Mayo because I do believe the margins are that tight. One team has said nothing about the replay other than they are looking forward to it, the other county appears to be up in arms. That’s not a good way to go into a game against Kerry. Momentum is with the Kingdom.