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Bernard Brogan predicts there will be a time limit on Dublin’s success as they chase down their third successive All-Ireland title triumph.

Brogan has lifted the Sam Maguire Cup on four occasions in just five years with the Dubs.

But the veteran marksman acknowledges that the gap could be closing between Jim Gavin’s side and the chasing pack as they prepare for their second outing of their latest Leinster title defence - the Croke Park meeting with Westmeath on Sunday for a place in the provincial final.

Kerry gave the Blues’ rivals a timely boost ahead of the Championship by beating Dublin in the League final.

And there is a feeling around the country that the men from the capital might be coming back towards the pack.

“I think we’ve been very lucky,” said Brogan. “I have 10 Leinster medals, I think that says a lot about Dublin’s success in Leinster.

(Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

“But time evolves in sport, it comes in cycles so it’s not going to last forever.

“For us, we’ve got a tricky one coming up, we don’t know what way it will go. We’ll only have had a week to plan for it.

“We were hoping to have two weeks to plan but we have a short time now to focus on the game and to do our analysis.”

Westmeath drew with Offaly in their opening game before seeing off their Midlands rivals in a replay by 11 points last Saturday.

Tom Cribbin has promised that his side will play with more ambition than in their previous two defeats to the Dubs - both encounters occurred in the last two Leinster finals.

Making a third successive provincial decider has never been achieved by Westmeath and the odds are yet again stacked heavily against them after conceding an aggregate 4-17 over their last two meetings.

Cribbin will note that Brogan couldn’t even get into the starting line-up for Dublin’s opening win against Carlow, such is the array of attacking talent at his counterpart Gavin’s disposal.

But Brogan did come off the bench to give a reminder of his class and add a couple of points to Dublin’s 0-19 total as the Blues aim for a July 16 date with resurgent Kildare.

“The competition in the full-forward line is frightening,” said 33-year-old Brogan. “There are seven or eight lads there that could probably play on most inter-county teams.That’s a great thing to have for Dublin. It’s a challenge for the players.

“There’s myself, Eoghan O’Gara, Kevin McManamon, Cormac Costello coming back from injury, Paul Mannion, Con O’Callaghan. It’s great to have that competition.”