Said I'd make one of these before someone beats me to it with a 'Mayo vs Dublin' thread tonight. Listen to any pundit or media outlet in Ireland and they'll have you believing that was Dublins next game.

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 323 - 26/07/2021 18:57:48    2364412

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 26/07/2021 20:06:47    2364443

If Kildare beat Dublin on Sunday I'll eat my own hat,, somehow.
Hope it's a decent game, haven't had a look at Dublin since the league.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2746 - 26/07/2021 20:10:35    2364444

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1346 - 26/07/2021 20:22:41    2364457

Ah I'm not deluded about our chances. Very slim. And on the injury front, we've been dealt two huge loses in Eoin Doyle and Kevin Feeley.

Nonetheless, we've not lost to Leinster opposition this year, earned our spot in the final and some of the disregard from the media has been quite disrespectful

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 323 - 26/07/2021 20:27:49    2364459

Still tickets for this on GAA.ie which is pretty shocking

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1236 - 26/07/2021 20:30:44    2364461

St.Conleth (Kildare) - Posts: 1700 - 26/07/2021 20:31:13    2364462

Feely and Doyle are out of game

Cloon12 (Kildare) - Posts: 53 - 26/07/2021 20:49:05    2364469

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2551 - 26/07/2021 21:00:22    2364474

Jackeen (Dublin) - Posts: 4097 - 26/07/2021 21:08:50    2364476

Du6s were hot and cold against Meath and got a good scare from what was a very comfortable position. That's what they'll be looking at, why didnt they kick on and go so long without scoring after being 11pts up. It can happen sometimes with having a large lead, Meath are a capable side when they are in good form. On their day are capable of hurting any team.

No doubt Du6lin are missing a lot of talent at the minute, some of which is just out of their control but if they can limp through against Kildare and perhaps have John Small and Eoin Murchan available again things will improve. I believe they aren't far off.

I'd be very happy with another 6pt win right now but we'll see, Its all about if Kildare can take advantage of Du6lin's current predictament. If Du6lin can get through Kildare and then see how the injuries are looking.. they'll have a good chanceof producing the goods but as it stands Du6lin are currently missing Small, McDaid, Cluxton and Murchan from an AI winning defense back in December.

That's a big problem.

Big gaping hole there and they definitely won't be winning the AI in 2021 without getting at least 2 of them back. It's great to be blooding new lads but they need more than that, that Meath game will bring them on but if Du6lin want to give 2021 a real go then they'll need some luck with their current injury list.

It'll be some achievement winning/retaining Sam with their current defensive line up.. just don't see it unless they can bolster things at the back.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 26/07/2021 21:21:47    2364480

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1346 - 26/07/2021 21:34:01    2364488

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 26/07/2021 21:46:14    2364493

SallinsMan (Kildare) - Posts: 77 - 26/07/2021 22:02:39    2364503

if_in_doubt (Kildare) - Posts: 3685 - 26/07/2021 22:10:08    2364506

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 1923 - 26/07/2021 22:20:57    2364515

Indeed, it's been a funny build up to the game thus far.

National commentators seem to forget all about Kildare's credentials at this stage and it's almost as if we're robbing the purists of Meath v Dublin.

Simply put Kildare are the closest team to Dublin in Leinster and have proved that beyond doubt this year to date. the bigger question now is just how close are they to Dublin.

I was at both games last week and Dublin destroyed Meath when it mattered so I'm not buying into this false narrative that Dublin are significantly weaker. What I think we're seeing is more of a humanisation of the team. The juggernaut that has steam rolled everyone before then for the last 6 years could not continue and the relentless hunger may have waned.

Jim probably seen this coming and stepped aside while still on the up. They are more vulnerable to loss of form or concentration but when they're on it, they are the best team in Ireland.

For Kildare to compete it will take a game plan that Kildare have not really tried under the current management, relentless press and pressure higher up the pitch. Kildare have not played that way for a while now and I can't see them changing their game plan in any significant way.

Kildare are making progress and will continue to in the coming years but I don't think this game is set up for them to win.

SallinsMan (Kildare) - Posts: 77 - 26/07/2021 22:28:50    2364516

If Kildare were to get within 15 points they would need to have their best players fit and flying. Feely, Cribben, Doyle out and Hyland and Dan Flynn only getting back after hamstring injuries.

If Kildare fans are honest we were very lucky to get past westmeath and this will be an absolute annihilation.

Don't let the modest score lines v Welford and Meath fool you. Leinster football is a farce and the 11 other counties are a spineless disgrace for not boycotting this nonsense.

Daith (Kildare) - Posts: 1171 - 26/07/2021 23:44:10    2364540

superbluedub (Dublin) - Posts: 2837 - 27/07/2021 07:48:53    2364553

Can't see anything other than a Dublin win here and will be backing the handicap of -9 especially with the injury trouble Kildare have at the moment. I watched the Kildare v Offaly game and if Offaly had a cutthroat edge to them up front they'd have taken a goal chance or two and could have snuck it even. Same goes for the Westmeath game too. Dublin are a massive step up to either of those teams.

Dublin as we know haven't looked great but McDaid and Murchan both back training the last couple of weeks so if they feature then our defence takes a whole different look with Howard being deployed further forward. I myself have questioned the Dublin motivation recently but I think the past couple of weeks will hopefully have given them all they need on that front especially with Kerry now bookies favourites for the All Ireland. Dublin have as we all know slipped back towards the pack a bit but the starting 15 or at least potential strongest starting 15 is still a serious side hence why I'm not buying a lot of the doom and gloom surrounding us at present. A good solid win on Sunday should hopefully lift the spirits too.

TrueBlue35 (Dublin) - Posts: 206 - 27/07/2021 08:25:53    2364562