The Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-finals have come and gone for another year but the theme remained the same with Dublin showcasing their dominance in a one-sided affair.
The Dubs have made winning the Delaney Cup a formality over the last 20 years - only failing to claim the Championship when Meath famously broke Louth hearts in 2010.
Dublin ran out 3-22 to 0-11 winners against Offaly on Sunday afternoon in a semi-final demolition, their 59th win in the province since 2005.
Dublin defeated Offaly on a scoreline of 3-22 to 0-11 in the second Leinster SFC semi-final in Croke Park, see the second half highlights here. GAAGO Clips brought to you by @AIB_GAA #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/mdAnwUGHCi
— GAAGO (@GAAGO) April 28, 2024
They have tasted defeat just once in that period - losing to Meath in the 2010 semis - and have had to settle for one draw, such has been their stranglehold on the tournament.
There have been annual calls for the competition to be amended due to its predictable nature, with Dublin widely expected to hammer Louth in this year's final. The Wee County got the better of Kildare in a much more competitive fixture prior to Dublin's win in the capital.
Those sentiments have been echoed in the attendance figures at Sunday's semi-final double-header in Croke Park.
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GAA Fans demand Leinster Championship Change
Just a reported 21,957 supporters made the trip to GAA HQ in Dublin for the Leinster semis, which saw Louth battle past the Lilywhites before Dublin made light work of Offaly.
That figure is significantly down from the tally of 38,081 posted two seasons ago, and on 2023's attendance of 30,499.
28 April 2024; The official attendance of 21,957 is shown on a big screen at half-time during the Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship semi-final match between Dublin and Offaly at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The optics aren't great either, with vast empty portions of Croke Park evidently taking away from what is a big sporting occasion.
Contrast it to Sunday's Munster Senior Hurling Championship action in which combined crowds in excess of 70,000 descended on Pairc Ui Chaoimh and the Gaelic Grounds.
Some GAA fans have called for the Leinster SFC semis to be moved out of Croke Park and to smaller venues elsewhere in the province in order to combat the issue.
Wtf are we actually doing?
21,957 at Croke Park today to see Dublin hammer Offaly (9 up at HT).
Part of a double-header, with Louth getting to a final where the same hammering will unfortunately happen to them.
The GAA is wasting everyone’s time.
pic.twitter.com/Vc6wDurBEX— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) April 28, 2024
22,000 in Croke Park today with 4 counties involved. Tullamore would have been a better choice for this 2nd game 🫤#GAA #UpTheDubs #COYBIB #DUBvOFF #Dublin #Offaly pic.twitter.com/IIAp17BV8h
— Barry Jones ® (@getoffthehill) April 28, 2024
18,000 at Croke Park for the Leinster SFC double header.
Argument grows even stronger to play them in provincial grounds.— Will O'Callaghan (@willocallaghan) April 28, 2024
While a change of venue could add to the spectacle going forward, it might do little in combating Dublin's supremacy in the competition.
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