GAZING INTO THE crystal ball before yesterday’s Leinster semi-finals, I came down on the side of Kildare and Dublin qualifying for the final.
Dublin progressed as everyone expected. Kildare didn’t succeed as they fell short against a fully deserving Meath side.
Spending over a decade soldiering for Kildare naturally meant my allegiances lay with them but when coldly analysing the match-up, I did think Kildare would win. With no Eamon Wallace and Mickey Newman in the Meath ranks, I fancied Kildare to keep out the goals and felt they’d have enough pace up front and strength on the bench to get over the line.
Kildare’s performance was very disappointing. When they fell behind by 12 points just seven minutes into the second-half, it was game over. They did rally to show a bit of fight and cut the gap to five by the finish. They’ll take positives from that.
But the first-half was a huge disappointment. Meath scored one goal and could have had another six. Kildare didn’t place enough pressure on Meath’s kickouts, didn’t track runners and left huge areas of space in front of their full-back line. Those defenders were on a hiding to nothing. There wasn’t enough aggression around the middle third and Meath dominated.
Kildare tried to run the ball too much and didn’t hit the full-forward line early enough. Podge Fogarty had showed that he was causing the Meath full-back line trouble but didn’t get enough service.
The gap was too great for Kildare to overcome at the finish. They needed a goal to get them back into the game but the closest they came was when Alan Smith’s shot crashed off the bar.
It’s a hugely disappointing way for Kildare to exit the Leinster championship but they have to get focused again for the qualifiers. They’ve shown a capacity to take the qualifiers by storm in recent years and they’ve used it as a platform to push on after the setback of defeats.
Getting paired against Down represents a tough draw as they’ve to go to Newry. But I think it’s a great draw for the team. It’s the type of challenge that doesn’t give them any time to feel sorry for themselves. It’s no time to lick the wounds. They’ll regroup and are capable of going again.
Meath catch the eye
I was really impressed by Meath yesterday particularly with how they overcame injury problems. Conor Gillespie was a big loss at midfield and we’ve mentioned the forwards that were absent. Those problems didn’t bother them.
Meath were direct and sharp from the start. Stephen Bray was the star, he finished with four points and constantly looked for possession. Damien Carroll was excellent and someone Kildare couldn’t get to grips with. Joey Wallace and Dalton McDonagh came into the frame and also did really well.
Meath are into their third consecutive Leinster final and I admire their consistency. I don’t think they’ll win the final primarily because I don’t think any team is going to beat Dublin this year. But Meath can push Dublin and if their injuries clear up, that will give them far more options.
Dublin dominant again
Two games in Leinster, two wins for Dublin and a combined winning margin of 27 points. You have to give credit to Dublin for their performances but it’s frightening for the rest of Leinster just how much they’re pulling clear.
It was strange yesterday to be looking at Dublin for 40 minutes and thinking that perhaps they were slipping. If Wexford got more ball into Banville, Lyng and Brosnan, there was a sense they could trouble them. Similar to the Laois game, Wexford were doing well and competing.
But just when there was a feeling that Dublin were faltering, they upped the ante in the last 20-30 minutes and simply blew away Wexford. They finished as winners by 16 points and demonstrated the incredible strength of their bench with the scores they got from Cormac Costello, Eoghan O’Gara and Tomas Brady.
Jim Gavin seems to be able to finish a game with as strong a team as he started. The players mentality is that the county is first and individual is second. Everyone wants to be on the team but Gavin looks to have achieved the tough task of keeping everyone on the panel content. They continue to dominate.
Ulster in the qualifier spotlight
The pick of the qualifiers is the meeting of Tyrone against Monaghan or Armagh. The prospect of facing Tyrone has got to provide great extra motivation for next Sunday’s Ulster replay. For whoever loses, you’re jumping straight from the frying pan into the fire. Tyrone blitzed Louth on Saturday and showed they still have a lot to play for.
Cavan and Roscommon looks like it could be a good game as well in a repeat of the Division 3 final. They’re both evenly-matched and it’ll be interesting to see how that unfolds.
For all that was said about Kildare doing well under McGeaney, I feel they underachieved considerably. Way too much hype with no end product and no silverware to show for it either.
If Kildare actually played good football instead of talking how good they are and the LEGENDS that are on the team they may have some hope
Dublin-Meath games always have the potential to be crackers. Its my favourite rivilary in the GAA, I think allot of teams(weaker counties)are beaten by Dublin before a ball is kicked, Meath will not fear them and id say they will give them a good game.That said I’d say the Dubs will still win by 4 or 5 points.
Going to order a ticket for this one and as a neutral im hoping for a good old fashioned Meath v Dublin battle.
Meath are up against it obviously but we’ve already got a chance, as I said above we’re going to need goals, and a lot of them. Dublins squad is so strong it’s hard to see us matching them for 70 mins, but if we can pressure their kicks like we did last year, and with Paddy O’Rourke booming balls onto their 50 yard line with his own we should win most of that ball, it’ll give us a chance at least
Dublin would want to wake up from their first half slumber. Two games in a row now and won’t get away so lightly against better opposition.
Yesterday the wrong option was selected a lot of the time in the first half. Take the easy points lads.
Cormac Costello is a class act,
Up the dubs.
Beat two teams by cricket scores and still not happy. Typical Dub supporter. You dont know how good you have it!
A ridiculous comment. These are the best days to be a Dublin supporter that I can remember for a long time.
First half in both games so far the finishing was poor. If they play like that against Meath they’ll be punished.
From someone who played GAA
Everyone is talking of how far they are ahead of every team in Leinster, Meath are not that far behind in talent considering Dublin have far more money and better sponsorship deals. It’s great to see Dublin do so well and as a Meath man we are going to catch them.
What has money got to do with it? They can’t buy players or pay them
The 7 point differential in last years Leinster final begs to differ! Meath wilted badly in the 2nd half yesterday and there was an abundance of poor wides from both them and Kildare
Dublin really should have too much for us tbh but you can see what Mick O’Dowd is trying to do. At every opportunity yesterday, Meath drove straight for goal…this has been in preparation for a crack at Dublin. O’Dowd knows that if Meath are going to have any chance we’ll have to create and take every goal opportunity that we can. Now we didn’t take the chances yesterday, but they were created none the less.
The last time Meath beat Dublin was in 2010, our forwards were on fire and we banged in 5 goals. Without doubt this will be the idea again.
Money has a lot to do with it = better training facilities and a lot more.
Hon the royals!
Haven’t missed a match so far this year . Meath getting stronger no doubt . Dublin didn’t get out of 2nd gear till mid way through the 2nd half . Attendance was ok but I’m sure i won’t get a ticket come final . Typical :( COYBIB
Darren you can buy tickets for the final at Super value stores or go online and get them through tickets.ie.
Who only charge €1 for postage and no booking fee unlike ticket master.
You should have got a season ticket. If my county were possible All Ireland candidates id get on.
It is great to see Dublin and Meath go head to head in the final. https://twitter.com/DeclanJCarr/status/483245084226621441/photo/1