IT'S the question that surely occupies Jim Gavin's thoughts most as he weighs up the challenge of Mayo - what do you do with a problem like Aidan O'Shea?
Some believe O'Shea's threat is so great since being transformed into the Championship's most potent full-forward that Dublin manager Gavin must bow to pragmatism and install a sweeper close to him. O'Shea scored three goals in the Connacht final, after all, and effectively broke Donegal's All-Ireland quarter-final challenge with his terrific catch and strike to the net just before half-time.
Westmeath's talisman full-forward John Heslin said Dublin can't allow pride in their traditional attacking emphasis to get in the way of containing O'Shea this weekend.
"They'll have to play a sweeper, yeah," Heslin said.
"I don't think they'll be able to manage him one-on-one to be honest."
But by buttressing their full-back line, Gavin would be publicly suggesting he didn't trust his hugely experienced full-back Rory O'Carroll to get the job done on his own.
"I don't think there'll be any sweepers, I don't believe in that," said Dublin great Jimmy Keaveney, who was inducted into the GAA Museum's Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
"The full-back takes him and it's his job. Now, he can work out something with his other two corner-backs, but I wouldn't put two players on him. At that level, what's the other player that you're supposed to be marking going to do? He could easily cause you a lot of problems then.
"I think Rory is quite capable of handling him. Rory has been playing very well. Rory is well disciplined and he would know exactly O'Shea's tricks and things like that and be prepared for him. He's got two very good corner-backs there to cover up there as well, so I've no major concerns there."
Another major concern for Dublin this week is the form of Michael Darragh Macauley. The midfielder rampaged his way through the 2013 campaign when Dublin won the All-Ireland title at Mayo's expense, later earning the Footballer of the Year award. But by the player's own admission, he has been struggling for form this summer and was dropped for the quarter-final against Fermanagh, the first time he was overlooked based on form alone since the 2010 campaign.
"I would start him there, but that's up to Jim Gavin and his selectors," said three-time All-Ireland medalist Keaveney.
"To be honest, I don't foresee many changes from the last day."
Diarmuid Connolly, a club-mate of Keaveney's at St Vincent's and a potential game breaker whenever he plays, is certain to start the semi-final at Croke Park. Keaveney has been hugely impressed by the development of the playmaker, who had a reputation for losing his cool earlier in his career.
"He's a fella who is well disciplined now, it might have been a case that, at one stage, he wasn't, but he's totally disciplined now and he's putting it all into the game," said Keaveney.
"To me, he's one of the finds for Dublin for many years. He's a great kid. Diarmuid has realised his ability and I don't think he wants to throw anything away now through indiscipline."
With Kerry already through to next month's final and the title race now down to just three, Keaveney believes Dublin are still favourites to claim a third title in five seasons.
"People ask if they're undercooked? That's the only thing," he said of Dublin.
"They haven't been tested in Leinster and the first big test really is coming up on Sunday. But in saying that, they're all experienced players with a good manager and he'll be able to talk to them and let them know exactly what's coming. I hope everything works out, but I think it's theirs to lose."
