Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
One of the matches of the year that neither can lose
FOR both Kildare and Meath, their clash in Tullamore this evening could be their most important game in the last decade. If this game was in Croke Park, Meath would almost certainly be favourites. But Kildare played in Tullamore against Laois only a few weeks ago and that will benefit them. They also have 10 players who Cian O’neill couldn’t call on last year and they’ve made a huge difference. O’neill has done really well, guiding Kildare to Division One despite getting huge stick at times from some within the county with hidden agendas. He struck to his guns and his system and rumours of discontent seem to have disappeared. From a Meath perspective the reason this game is huge is that there’s a new management in place and they have developed the closest thing to the old Royals attitude we’ve seen over the last six years. They are changing attitudes with most of the same playing personnel. But the management and the squad know if they lose this game it spells failure. Andy and Gerry Mcentee didn’t sign up to miss out narrowly on promotion in Division Two and lose a Leinster semi to Kildare. If that’s the outcome they’ll call it as it is – a dreadful disappointment to the management and the squad. Meath did an awful lot right against Louth the last day and throughout the League. They’re finishing out games strongly – which they weren’t before – and have produced big scores in recent fixtures which is very promising. But their single biggest challenge is shoring up their defensive frailties. If that doesn’t happen then Kildare will cut through Meath at will. Louth had six open goal chances and scored three in Meath’s Championship opener. If Louth can do that, Kildare certainly can – as they showed in first round of the League against Meath when they created six or seven goal chances. Meath’s defence, positional play and man-marking has to improve by 30-40%. At least. But there is optimism in Meath, a real feel-good factor and the atmosphere will be electric. We could be looking at one of the games of the year. Meath will look for Eamon Wallace to improve and to use his pace along with the highly talented Cillian O’sullivan. Graham Reilly has got fitter and stronger and is certainly answering his critics. This guy has scored 14 points from play in the last two games, an extraordinary contribution, and Kildare need a system to nullify him. But Meath also have Donal Lenihan and Bryan Mcmahon, who has serious pace, plus young Thomas Reilly. I believe he’s the real deal and will feature. So they’ve a lot to offer going forward, they look very dangerous and create a lot. The key to their success is whether they can improve their defensive work. But what’s great to see is the mental brittleness seems to be gone. Meath turned a corner against Galway this year, winning that League game by grinding it out until the 74th minute. It was something they hadn’t done in years. And this game will be an equally defining moment for this team. Victory would be massive in terms of getting ready for Dublin and I believe the Meath management are really set up to put it up really strongly to the Dubs in the provincial decider. Kildare will bring massive physical strength – people underestimate them in that department. They also possess huge pace, an exceptional midfield and forwards who are scoring from general play, unlike in the past and the ‘wideitis’ they suffered. They’re converting way more chances than they used to and they’re ticking all the boxes. But if Meath hit hard and play with pace from the start they can expose the mental weakness I believe still exists in Kildare. It was there in their last two League final appearances and in last year’s Leinster semi against Westmeath. The same could be said of Meath but Kildare are a bit more vulnerable and, for that reason and that reason only, I’m going for Meath.