No trend to Dublin defeats, says captain Niamh Collins

Dublin captain Niamh Collins doesn't feel that the side has lost its ruthless touch after suffering another hefty blow in last Saturday’s National League semi-final against Donegal.

Mick Bohan’s side were in complete control heading into the final moments, but the concession of two goals in 23 seconds saw them lose out 2-08 to 1-10, surrendering their Division 1 league crown in the process.

The shock and awe finish came six months after their five-in-a-row Brendan Martin Cup ambitions were ended by huge underdogs Meath, who claimed the All-Ireland crown for a first time.

Collins came back into the side for their loss to the Tir Chonaill County in Clones, but she doesn’t see much correlation between that defeat and their loss to the Royal County at Croke Park last year.

"I don’t think so," she replied when asked was it a concerning trend at the launch of the John West Féile 2022.

"I think they are two different entities. I think what happened in the All-Ireland final was different. We didn’t really get off the ground as much.

"This (Donegal) was more that we were comfortable and we let slip, so it’s a different error. I wouldn’t say they go hand in hand. I wouldn’t think that it is a trend that we necessarily have to be worried about but it’s something else that we need to address."

Collins was part of the Dublin panel in 2014 when they led Cork in the All-Ireland final by 10 points with 15 minutes remaining before they lost out by a point. Days like that - and last weekend - can happen, she said.

However, the Foxrock-Cabinteely club player did concede that Dublin's period of domination between 2017 and 2020 is unlikely to be repeated any time soon.

"The ladies football landscape has changed massively. You’re no longer going out