Laois u21 star Tom Shiel, reckons Dublin and Meath will have a major say in the outcome of this years EirGrid GAA U21 Football Championship.
Both sides could meet in the Leinster final should they overcome Longford and Kildare respectively this Wednesday night and Shiel - the Eirgrid U21 GAA Player of the Month for February - feels either team would have to be considered strong All Ireland contenders.
Of course it would come as no surprise if defending champions Dublin were to retain their crown and, having knocked Laois out in the last round, Shiel has had first hand experience of their strength and depth.
They're a very good team. I think they'd about seven starters [against Laois] from the All Ireland final last year and Cormac Costello was injured as well.
Many of Dublin's U21 squad were part of the victorious minor side of 2012 and if any team can stop them winning another title this year, Shiel feels it may be Meath - the side Dublin beat in the 2012 final.
I think both sides have really pushed on. I think they'd be both close to it this year.
Despite losing to Dublin in their quarter-final, Shiel remains relatively upbeat about the season and the experience he has gained:
I think it's a great experience I had three years at minor but this year was my first U21 championship to play in and it's a whole different ball game and I think it's given me great experience to go on to the seniors now.
And 'go on to the seniors' he has, after getting a call-up from manager Tomás Ó Flatharta last week. In fact, Shiel made his senior intercounty debut three years ago at just 17, so is of course delighted to be back on the panel: 'Hopefully now things pick up and we can fairly push on in the championship.'
The Leinster U21 semi-finals see Dublin take on Longford in Pairc Tailteann this Wednesday at 7.30pm while Meath face Kildare in O'Moore Park at 7.30pm also.
