HE MADE HIS name as a supersub against Kerry — but Kevin McManamon knows that games against the other ‘old enemy’ are the ones that really make or break Dublin reputations.

For the third time in as many seasons, Meath are the opposition as the Dubs bid to continue their provincial stranglehold.

Chasing their ninth Leinster title in 10 years, the balance of power is now firmly in favour of the capital and the evenly-matched rivalry of McManamon’s youth is a distant memory.

Still, he doesn’t need to be reminded that on Sunday afternoon history counts for nothing.

“Coming here growing up with my da and my brother, I always remember a few of the great games especially in the early 90s that I would have always come along to,” he told TheScore.ie.

A lot of people say that you’re kinda judged as a Dublin footballer by how you perform against Meath so there is that extra bit of bite to it. It’s a clash of the city and the two cultures.

“I always remember having great banter with Meath fans around the stadium before the game. Unfortunately I don’t get a chance to sample that atmosphere any more but it’s going to be tasty, I’d say.”

McManamon pictured in Croke Park at the announcement of Linwoods as the Official Health Food Supplier for Dublin GAA. Jason Clarke Photography Jason Clarke Photography

While the added pressure is part and parcel of any meeting between the two neighbours, McManamon knows to filter out the noise.

“I think that’s something that’s out there in the chat around Dublin football – can he do it against Meath?

“I always enjoy the games and I always look forward to them but I think that’s unnecessary pressure to be putting on yourself to think that way. My point was that that’s more how the outsiders would look at it.”

Maybe it’s fair to say that nobody understands the strength of Dublin’s panel quite like McManamon.

Tasked with a leading role during the league campaign, he scored 3-17 to help Dublin retain their Division 1 title yet still found himself on the bench for the Championship opener last month.

Between them Dublin’s subs contributed 1-18 against Laois and Wexford, but McManamon feels the point is being overstated a little.

A lot of people talk about us having a strong panel and it’s probably something that’s grown legs at this stage and it’s snowballing.

“Blokes come on and they do play well and it gets magnified then again.

“At the same time, with any team that has success, that’s where it comes from. I saw the two Meath subs the last day when they came on, they played very well and got them over the line. Any successful team in Leinster is going to need it so it will be one of us two anyway.”

His goals from the bench against Kerry in 2011 and 2013 may be the most significant in the recent history of Dublin football but McManamon is adamant — the ‘supersub’ tag won’t define him.

 It doesn’t really annoy me to be honest. I don’t do the training to come on as a sub, you know? Maybe when I’m about to retire I might accept it.

“I’d never come on and play out of anger. It’s more that you wouldn’t be in great form when the team is called out, but you have to be ready to wake up on Sunday and put the other 30 fellas and what they want before what you want.”

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Mickey Newman is fit, so Meath make one change for the Leinster football final