A ROYAL RUMBLE.

AS a veteran of Dublin-Meath clashes, Ciaran Whelan can't wait to experience the thrill of clashing with the men in green and gold once at Croke Park again this Sunday.

And the hugely experienced midfield star is expecting another close clash between the old Leinster rivals.

"That's what you play football for, to be involved in these games," said Whelan.

"Games will always come down to the last five minutes and no matter what form you have been in that's the way it will be. I expect it to be the same on Sunday.

"They've had a good league campaign and Sunday will be a good battle. Traditionally whoever has come out of Dublin/Meath games gains great confidence."

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell recently gave his backing to the Open Draw system to liven up the Championship but while Whelan would welcome a change, he believes it must be carefully thought out.

He said: "It depends on how they can do it. People tend to forget that Leinster Championships would mean a hell of alot to people in Louth and other teams that haven't been too successful.

"The Ulster title would be huge for teams up there either like Fermanagh or Monaghan. It's easy to make those claims when teams are winning year in, year out.

"I'd like to see them someone retained with some sort of provincial element. There's a lot of history behind Leinster Championships, Ulster's, Connacht's...and just to abandon them over night mightn't be the right thing to do."