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DEEP in the North County, they love their football ... and their cricket.

In these parts, football makes the world go round. St Margarets are at the heart of the community.

They have been the generous hosts to the Dublin Under-14s. The players and the management love going there.

"We have been treated so well at Margarets. They have been absolutely brilliant to us," notes Dublin mentor, Maurice Brew.

"We have played a few of our matches there. Its a wonderful venue.

"They are such lovely people. They couldnt do enough for you. They take so much pressure off us.

"Things like preparing the food, tea and sandwiches for the girls andthe parents after the matches. They have been just so good."

The lean cuisine has obviously worked. Dublin are in the Leinster final.

Theyll play Kildare on May 23. "They beat Meath in the semi-final, so we are expecting big things from them," says Maurice.

"The final is going to be difficult. We got over Laois in the semi-final. We got most of our scores in the last 15 minutes, but up to that it was nip and tuck."

Theres 30 in the squad. They represent 16 clubs, a wide spread from North and South of the river.

The girls are a busy bunch -- camogie, basketball, club football. Its not easy to arrange training nights.

"We havent had all that much opportunity to train. Its difficult toget them all together. Many of them are playing football for their clubs in the under-15 and 16 grades. The fact that they are all getting regular football is the main thing.

"They are a brilliant group. So dedicated and disciplined. We couldnt have asked for better.

"There seems to be a huge amount of talent in the U14 grade in particular. Its marvellous.

"It would be lovely to think that Dublin football can hold onto these girls in the years to come. It would be tremendous for the county.

"It would be great for the future if they all stuck with it. Dublin football would benefit so much."

Theres a new saying that says that the team that eats together stays together.

Especially if the grub is coming from Margarets kitchen.

- Niall Scully