WHEN you consider that the new-look Dubs have already stormed the Killarney barricades, it may seem slightly perverse to suggest that a trip to Mayo constitutes their toughest examination to date.

There, we've just done it!

With the benefit of hindsight, it is now clear that Kerry were not just weakened by high-profile absenteeism but even more hamstrung by a comparative lack of fitness on February 7. Dublin, themselves without a raft of big names, were more ravenous for the battle and a famous victory, their first on Kerry soil since 1982, duly followed.

The initial impression of a Dublin team that will battle through its own limitations and fight until the final whistle was reinforced by the victory that followed a week later at home to Derry.

All of this is contrary to the inconsistency that has dogged Dublin league campaigns throughout the last decade. True, Pat Gilroy's new charges have made no shortage of errors in the last 140 minutes, they have turned over ball and lost their shape and hit some poor wides into the bargain -- but they have kept on going, best reflected in their storming finish against Derry.

They now stand joint top of Division One with a maximum four points and, just because Mayo are on the same mark, is that any reason to fear them? Of course not. Yet, going back to our intro, this still promises to be the most searching test yet for a Dublin team that is clearly lacking big-time experience. Mayo have got into the winning habit this spring -- not just in the league but also its Connacht FBD equivalent. Confidence has been bolstered not just by consecutive wins over Galway but also by taking Tyrone's scalp in Omagh.

Defence and midfield have a very settled look. And so, to a large extent, does the forward line. This week heralds the return from suspension of Trevor Mortimer but, on the flip side, John O'Mahony must plan without Mark Ronaldson.

We don't know if Mayo were simply playing mind games by naming Ronaldson at corner-forward, after his four-week ban had been confirmed, but O'Mahony has several intriguing alternatives to mull over.

Both Alan Dillon and Conor Mortimer are named among the subs following their recent return from the southern hemisphere sun, but sources are sceptical on the prospect of an immediate recall for either.

Alan Freeman started against Tyrone, in Trevor Mortimer's absence, and could get another run. Meanwhile, Neil Douglas did his starting claims no harm by shooting the lights out for the Mayo U21s in a recent challenge against Kerry. Another U21 forward, Aidan O'Shea has been struggling with his form but he's bound to have the edge in physique, no matter which of the Dublin full-back line gets the job of tracking the former minor sensation.

At the scoring end, Dublin have again opted for a starting six that looks less than prolific on paper. They have fared reasonably well to date -- scoring 1-12 against Kerry and 1-11 against Derry -- but their chosen front six here contains just one recognisable inside poacher in Kevin McManamon. Blaine Kelly's No14 jersey will be worn instead by Michael MacAuley, the erstwhile midfielder-turned-centre-forward who now switches to the edge of the square -- but will he actually start there?

Against Derry, Dublin struggled for a long while to hammer home the Eamonn Fennell-inspired dominance of their middle-eight, and it required Bernard Brogan's introduction to give them added thrust inside. They may well need a similar Brogan cameo tomorrow, whereas Mayo look the more settled and slightly safer bet.

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 1

MAYO v DUBLIN

(Castlebar, Tomorrow 2.30)

ODDS: Mayo 4/6, Draw 7/1, Dublin 8/5

VERDICT: Mayo

- Frank Roche