Fitness a big asset for Meath
THE title of the second best team in Leinster is up for grabs when Meath and Kildare clash in the first of the SFC provincial semi-finals at O’Connor Park, Tullamore, this Saturday (7.0).
Not everyone may agree with that assertion, but it is difficult to argue against it based on the statistics over recent years.
Dublin have won 11 of the last 12 Leinster titles and are seeking a seventh crown in a row as they await their semi-final opponents. Kildare haven’t lifted the Delaney Cup since 2000, while Meath’s last success was that controversial win in 2010.
The Dubs are of course reigning All-Ireland champions and are seeking a three-in-a-row, and while there were brief glimpses in the recent league final that they are no longer invincible, there is as yet no basis to suggest that their reign in Leinster is coming to an end.
Both Meath and Kildare will be hoping that they are the ones to eventually topple the champions, and while both counties have showed signs of progression they still seem a long way off the Dubs, even if they may have to defend their title without you know who.
On the evidence of the recent Division 2 league campaign the Lillywhites would seem better placed to make a breakthrough after winning promotion to the ‘elite’ top tier.
The counties clashed opening round of the league campaign on the first Sunday in February and that proved a bit of an eye-opener for new Meath boss Andy McEntee as Kildare romped to a 3-17 to 0-16 win.
However, that victory will likely count for nothing when the sides square up to each other on Saturday evening. A possible date with the Dubs, who still have to overcome the winners of the Westmeath/Offaly quarter-final replay, will hardly be on the respective management or players’ minds either. Reaching a Leinster final will be the minimum of both counties’ championship ambitions.
Neither will want to enter the minefield of the All-Ireland qualifiers at this stage, and for both failure to make the provincial decider will be seen as a backward step.
The Meath camp had arranged a press day ahead of the semi-final clash, but this was cancelled at short notice, with no explanation given, though rumblings of discontent by the hurling fraternity in the county could be a reason for avoiding interviews at this stage.
Mickey Burke and James Toher failed to line out with their clubs in championship hurling matches following the quarter-final win over Louth amid allegations that they were instructed not to play.
Manager Andy McEntee is solely focussed on his job and is hoping for an injury-free run-up to the clash with the Lillywhites, and that could mean that James McEntee, who only withdrew minutes before the throw-in against Louth, and Brian Power who also missed the clash with the Wee County will be available for selection.
McEntee could be an inclusion from the start, but hardly at the expense of Toher who grabbed his opportunity following his late callup and posted five points against Colin Kelly’s side.
Apart from that, Meath should go with the side that posted an impressive 27 points in their quarter-final win. The full merit of that nine-point victory will only be calculated in the context of the display against Kildare, though.
It was difficult to judge just how good or bad Louth were, but one thing is for certain - Meath will need to tighten up considerably in defence on the Louth performance or their Leinster ambitions will be at an end.
The display of the Meath defence and the concession of 3-9 has to be a concern to McEntee and his management team, in particular the silliness of a couple of the goals conceded, for Kildare will possess a much more potent threat in attack than Louth did.
With one of Meath’s most influential players, Donal Keogan, lining out at centre back against Louth, the absence of the Rathkenny man in the full back line is something that Meath not might be able to afford against Cian O’Neill’s outfit.
Kildare went on something of a scoring spree themselves with a 1-21 to 1-7 win over Laois in their quarter-final. In all, 13 different players contributed to that tally in what was a powerful attacking display.
Central to the scoring spree was full forward Daniel Flynn, who accounted for 1-3. The 22-year old has had his share of injuries since returning from a stint in Australia with the AFL but seems to be at last realising his potential.
He will be one of a number of forwards that Meath will need to mark tightly if they are to progress - Cathal McNally and Niall Kelly are two more.
Meath will also need to be at their best at midfield and it will be interesting how the new partnership of the experienced Bryan Menton and newcomer Ronan Jones fare against Tommy Mollick and Kevin Feely.
This pair lauded it over Brendan Quigley and Colm Begley and Meath may need to crowd the midfield area if they are to win their fair share of possession.
Both managers will be wary of the threat of the respective attacks, so packed defences could be the order of the day. This is a newlook Kildare side built on success at underage level in recent years and Meath will need to tread very warily.
The last time the counties clashed in the championship was at this stage in 2014 when Meath produced a really impressive display in the 2-16 to 0-17 win. Meath could have as many as seven changes in personnel from that day three years ago, with Kildare having even more.
If Meath allow Kildare adopt a running game then that could spell trouble for them, as over the years Meath team have laboured against that style of play.
The importance of captain Graham Reilly to again produce the goods will be paramount for Meath. The McEntee influence has added an edge to this team and it is arguably the fittest to represent the county.
They get a tentative vote to advance, though they will need to be close to the top of their game for most of the 70 minutes.