Michael Darragh knows Donegal will provide different type of examination

Dublin’s midfield powerhouse, Michael Darragh Macauley, was a key figure when the Dubs eventually solved the rubik’s cube when defeating Donegal in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final in the summer of 2011.

The counties come face-to-face again this Sunday in Croke Park and another clash of styles is anticipated – forewarned is forearmed!

"I think we've been to a lot of these difficult places before and we've gotten over the line and I think all that stuff is in the memory bank now," says Michael Darragh.

"It's good for us, it's driving us on. If we do find ourselves in bad positions against Donegal or whoever, we know we're able to come back. We have proved that over time.

"It was a strange game in 2011 and I suppose no-one had seen that style of football before. So we were definitely taken aback at the time but I suppose it just took a bit of hard work from the lads to settle in to that style of football and try to break it down.

"We were very happy at the end to come out with a result. It definitely wasn't easy and I'm sure it won't be easy on Sunday," adds the Ballyboden St Enda’s man.