Saturday June 17

Leinster SFC Semi-Final

Meath v Kildare, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 7pm

The prize is significant and two fold: a place in the Leinster SFC decider and the last 12 of the All Ireland series. It means that a healthy and expectant following from two proud counties will journey to the midlands hopeful of catching a glimpse of what a positive future might hold.

Undoubtedly the present matters deeply to the respective managers, Andy McEntee and Cian O’Neill, too because they are intent on nurturing the potential that exists in Meath and Kildare.

On the opening weekend of the Allianz Football League Kildare delivered a stylish display at Pairc Tailteann emerging 3-17 to 0-16 victors.

It mightn’t carry any great currency now on the week of a Championship match, but it afforded Kildare an injection of confidence at the start of the spring.

Kildare ended the campaign with a second successive promotion and they hit the summer with the appearance of a team intent on going places and making further progress.

Ultimately that is the mission O’Neill wants to accomplish and the recent signs are most certainly favourable.

A smooth win over Laois, who had impressed against Longford, hinted at Kildare’s potential, but there is no disguising the fact that this weekend’s encounter will be a far more accurate barometer as two where these counties stand.

In the League Niall Kelly’s ability to skip into threatening positions repeatedly hurt Meath, with his 2-2 haul instrumental.

Paul Cribbin has enjoyed a hugely productive stint for Kildare, nailing two points in the Laois rout, while Daniel Flynn finished with 1-3 from play.

Thirteen different Kildare players registered scores as the Lilywhites cruised to a convincing win, but Meath will be ready, willing, and able to deliver a dynamic display of their own.

When Meath outfoxed Louth at the Quarter-Final stage there was plenty to admire about how strongly the Royals finished that tussle.

Inspired by the electric Graham Reilly, who contributed a staggering seven points from play, Meath struck 0-14 compared to 1-0 for Louth in the last 20 minutes.

McEntee wants to ensure Meath, similar to their glorious and successful era in the 90s, are consistently able to produce these storming late bursts.

James Toher and Donal Lenihan were prominent in the Louth match for Meath, who hope to be more solid defensively.

Leaking three goals against Louth was a source of concern, but the upcoming encounter with Kildare, who haven't reached a Leinster decider since 2009, should be interesting.

MEATH: Paddy O'Rourke; Mickey Burke, Conor McGill, Donnacha Tobin; Padraic Harnan, Donal Keogan, Shane McEntee; Bryan Menton, Ronan Jones; James Toher, Cillian O'Sullivan, Eamon Wallace; Graham Reilly, Bryan McMahon, Donal Lenihan.

KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Mick O'Grady, David Hyland, Ollie Lyons; Johnny Byrne, Eoin Doyle, Keith Cribbin; Kevin Feely, Tommy Moolick; Fergal Conway, Niall Kelly, Paul Cribbin; David Slattery, Daniel Flynn, Cathal McNally.