Replying To royaldunne:  "You could get a job as a trump speech writer. Please show where I said it will be one sided. ?? I didn't. Also Kildare didn't exactly brush aside Offaly, u also negating the fact we could and probably should have beat Dublin, Monaghan, galway and Mayo and Kerry too.
I'll say it again a tough battle, Meath are further down the road than Kildare and should prevail by 2 points. If that's one sided I don't know why Kildare have been going on for years about 9 point been a close game lol"

Replying To Fionn:  "RD - B/S must be listening to you.... ;o)
I see PP have ye at 66/1 for Sam but B/S now have ye in at 33/1
Kildare 100/1 with PP but 125/1 with B/S"

Replying To SquireGannon:  "I think this will be a close game but Kildare have nothing to fear from Meath.

Some of the comments from Meath posters are hilarious.

"Meath however have a slight eye on a certain bigger blue fish they'd like to fry" - well Dublin will certainly be wary of Meath after their narrow 1 -17 to 0 - 4 win last year.

As to this idea that Meath are somehow further on in their development than Kildare, lets look at the last 5 years.

Minor Leinster Titles
Meath: 1
Kildare: 3

U21/u20
Meath: 0 Titles
Kildare: 1 Leinster Championship, 1 All-Ireland Championship.

Seasons spent in Division 1:
Meath: 1
Kildare: 1

Senior Quarter Final/ Super 8 appearances
Meath: 1
Kildare: 2

'Top 6' Opposition beaten in Championship
Meath: none
Kildare: 1 (Mayo)

Senior Championship meetings
2017 : Kildare 2 - 16 Meath 0 - 13

All of which suggests Kildare and Meath are operating on similar levels for the last few years, with Kildare producing more at underage and a slight bit more at senior.

Sure look, we'll turn up anyway and give Meath a run out before they take on Dublin...."

Replying To Caoimhog88:  "The only 9 point game i remember in recent years is the 9 point beating we gave ye in Tullamore in 17. Stating you could and should have beaten teams is a bit like saying you should be on the county panel but you got that injury at u14. Have you ever heard the saying "nearly never bulled a heifer"."

Replying To Sweetspot:  "Just a kind of side note... my God does it feel great to be having this back and forth competitive banter about football again. Thank God for football and that we have some at the minute"

Replying To royaldunne:  "Don't worry there won't be any nearly. As one Meath poster said the flour bags will get a good old batin."

Replying To Caoimhog88:  "Time will tell... i think playing a dogfight yesterday will stand to Kildare at the weekend. Lets not forget Meath were only 2 points better than Offaly last year in the championship. Your away with the fairies if you think this will be anything but a tight contest and will come down to who has the better stomach for the fight. All that almost winning might not be as good for the heads when your back is to the wall in a scrap."

Replying To Furlong1949:  "Your are not wrong. Your points are excellent backed up by stats and info. Excellent points.

But I think I did not explain myself fully. Yes long term development over the past 6 or 7 years kildare are slighty ahead in terms of development and underage sucess. But in short term development Meath are slighty ahead in terms of development.

There is very little between these 2 teams I think if u played ten games Meath would win 5 and kildare would win 5. Both are top div 2 teams who are trying to break into div 1 top 6 or 7 teams. Until one of them break into top 6 or 7 basically stay in div 1. They are both at same level. Both young both have potential. Its 50 50 game. If kildare win no one and I mean no one in Meath will be surprised. We are expecting a huge challenge on Sunday and if we dont perform and if kildare click upfront, 2017 could happen again.

To clarify Meath are slighty ahead in terms of short term development. In the last 24 months Meath are ahead in terms of playing div 1 teams, defeated kildare and manager in job longer

Since start of 2019
Meath have played 12 div 1 teams, top 6 or 7 teams in the country
Kildare have played 3 div 1 teams top 6 or 7 in the same period.
Meath 10 of Meaths last 11 games were div 1 teams. Kildares last 8 games were div 2 and 3 teams.
Thats what I mean in that those 12 games mhi have played v vest teams of the country have developed Meaths tackling and overall game. The same way in 2018 the 7 games in div 1 brought on kildare to beat Mayo and Super 8s in 2018.
Meath last year were unlucky not to beat Donegal twice and this year should have beaten Mayo lost by 1, Galway lost by 2 and kerry lost by 3. All wothout 10 to 12 first team players. And without 9 first team players v Dubs Meath went toe toe with Dubs for 70 mins. Meath also drew with Monaghan. In 2017 if Meath played the top teams with so many players they would have lost by 20 point plus. Meaths games v Kerry Dublin Galway Mayo playing better teams helps a teams development. We saw that with kildsre in 2018 when they were in div 1 we saw that with Cavan in 2019 and Roscomon in 2019 playing in div 1 helped them later on in the championship.

The other thing Meath have played kildare in a competitive game in last 2 years. Meath won by point. But should have been lot more. Kildare forwards were excellent in the first half. But in the second half Meath backs were excellent and dominated the second half and should have won by 6 or 7 points. But Meath forwards missed score after score. It was basically a carbon copy of the malfunction Meath forwards had in leinster final.

And my main point is the managers. Kildare have a better manager this years. Cian O Neill did a good job but he is an excellent coach.. JOC is a a better manager. But in terms of development this is where Meath are slighty ahead

Andy McEntee is in year 4 as Meath manager
Jack O Connor is in year 1 as kildare manager.

There is a big difference in year 4 and year 1. When Jack O Connor is i charge in year 2 and year 3 kildare will get better and better. JOC is getting to know his players it does take a year or two for manager to get grips with job.

For example
In 2017
Andy McEntee was in year 1
Cian O Neill was in year 2
Meath in 2017 and into 2018 were a mess. It took McEntee year 3 to make improvements. This is normal.
The three most sucessful managers in leinster football ever outside Dubs are
1 Eugene McGee who took 4 years to make breakthrough with Offaly and after 2 years was near sacked
2 Sean Boylan who took 4 years to make breakthrough with Meath and in year 3 was near sacked
3 Mick Dwyer who took 5 years to make breaktbrough with kildare and left after 3 years to come back 2 years later.

Andy McEntee is in year 4 JOC in year 1, Meath defeated kildare in the last competitive game and Meath have played 12 games v div 1 teams in last 2 years, 10 of Meaths last 11 games v div 1, kildare last 8 games v div 2 and 3 teams. Meaning Meath are slighty ahead in terms of present and current development in that mabager is in year 4 and Meath were in div 1 this year and kildare were div 2 and manager is year 1. Thats what I meant. I did not explain myself fully.

You are 100% right kildare are ahead in development overall in the last 6 years and had more underage sucess. But Meath have improved at underage also and with east project I expect Meath kildare and louth and Wicklow to have good decade at underage in 2020s.

Just a bit of background regards underage
Meath were ten years behind Dublin at underage and 3 or 4 years behind kildare. What I can see McGeeney had a big role in kildares underage sucess beginning before Meath. For 3 or 4 years kildare were wiping floor with Meath at under 21 level. They were bigger and better. McGeeney was under 21 manager also for kildare. He introduced strenght and conditioning at underage into kildare in early part of last decade. From that Kildsre at under 21 as I said wiped floor with Meath for 3 or 4 years. And those players were part of kildare team who beat Meath twice by big scores in 2017. It was linked to under 21 victories.

In 2017 Meath started to introduce strenght and conditioning at underage and you can see this in at least 10 players of those underage team who played v Monaghan and Dublin who were 21 and under who received this S and C at underage. Meath young players are physically able to deal with inter county football mich physically better then Meath young players 2014 to 2017.

Kildare won a great under 20 All Ireland I would say outside Dubs, kildare under 20 All Ireland in 2018 is the greatest underge All Ireland won in leinster football in last 50 years along with Meaths 93 under 21 All Ireland win and Westmeath and Laois All Ireland u21 All Irelands wins in late 90s early 00s. It was a great win. But the only team to beat that kildare team in the championship in 2018 was Meath. Meath were fully deserved winners in that championship game. Which shows gap at under 20 has closed with Meath and kildare. The problem for Meath is Dublin at under 20.

Kildare have challenged Dublin with 3 leinster titles at under 20/21 level in last 10 years. Meath are competitive at under 20 but have a massive issue problem beating Dublin at this level. Dubs professional kickin at under 20. But I think for Meath its mental at u20 21 and if we could get one win v Dubs at u20 I think that will change things. And I think it will come. But again just to say kildare win at under 20 in 2018 was one of the great underage leinster all Irelands wins ever.

At minor kildare have more leinster minor titles but Meath are strong at this level. Meath won leinster minor title in 2018. And won leinster minor ( un17 inaugural minor championship ) in 2017 also and that had team players like Mattew Costello and Shane Walsh and Jordan Morris. And Meath this year at minor hammering Dubs by 11 points this year a month ago means Meath will be strong contenders this year. Even tbough kildare have a great chance in that they on the opposite side of the draw to other top teams. For Meath to win minor this Meath will have to beat Dublin Westmeath laois and kildare. Its hard to know with young lads. But its the biggest minor team I have seen play for Meath in ten years and Summerhills Eoghan Frayne for me would be best young forward in the county. A huge talent.

There is also another extraordinary stat that for me explain Morris and Walsh excellent begining for Meath. Beating Dublin at any grade is like injecting confidence steriods into Meath footballers. Kildare have won more minors but Meath have gone on a run of minor victories over Dublins which is unprecedented. I think kildare have beaten Dublin twice at minor in last 6 years. Meath have beaten Dublin 6 times in last 6 years at minor and some them by huge score 10 and 11 points. Players like Morris and Walsh and Costello have beaten Dublin numerous times at underage and there confidence is helped by that. Shane Walsh when he scored 4 points v Dubs in league from play shows he doesnt fear Dubs. Meath young forwards in 2014 2015 2016 did fear Dubs.

I think Mark Feehily could have a big role in 2017 he was outstanding in both games. But Ronan Jones has been very good in last 2 games and does look like a huge find for Meath. He. Is a ball carrying midfielder. Feehily is more high fielder and one best midfielders in the country. Meath will need to keep ball away Feehily and crowd him at midfield. Every kildare supporter tells me if you run at kildare it causes problems. An issue Meath had at the back for years. Meath are a possesion team who can open up defences with hand passing up the field in rows . They scored brillant goal v Monaghan like this and created two great goal chances v Dubs like this. If kildare have issues with players running at them Meath will get goal chances but will Meath take them thats another question. Kildare seem to be more long kicking. Meaning lavin and McGill will need to be strong on kirwan and D Flynn. In many ways the style of play are unusual for Meath and kildare. Meath are hand passing possesion team kildare seem to be more direct. Traditionally kildare were hand possesion passing team and Meath direct. Kildare are strong upfront and issues at back. Traditionally kildare were strong at the back with issues upfront. Meath are strong at back with issues upfront. Traditionally Meath were strong upfront.

This is hard game to make out. I am very wary of kildare why? 6 reasons 1998 2003 2010 twice in 2011 and 2017. Some of those games kildare were underdogs and blew Meath away eg 2010. The game in 2017 was also huge win for kildare. Kildare will not fear Meath you actually get the feeling kildare like playing Meath. Even when Meath had best footballers in Ireland in late 90s kildare threw kitchen sink at Meath. But Meath have had wins also in 97 01 07 12 14. 2012 and 2014 Meath were much the better team and Meath were underdogs in 2012. When you look at all these games of Meath v kildare in 97 98 01 03 07 10 11 12 14 17 before hand not many predicted the outcome. 2010 kildsres performance or Meath performance in 2012 were not expected. So kildare are slight underdogs. Even though it Jack O Connor first I expect an huge performance fron kildare, their best this year and if Meath are not ready for that. They will be beaten.

Leaving Dublin to one side in the last 20 years the county that has caused Meath biggest problems in leinster is kildare. Meath have won many games but so have kildare. But one thing kildares record at reaching leinster finals in the last 10 years is poor. Kildare have won 1 leinster semi final and reached 1 leinster final in last ten years. Meath have won 5 leinster semi final and reached 5 leinster finals in last ten years. However Meath be wary as the only leinster semi final kildare won in last ten years was against Meath in 2017. As a Meath man becaude of 98 and 2010 and 2017 I am very wary of kildare. I think this could be the game of the championahip and cud go extra time maybe peno. If Meath dont turn up like 2017. Meath are out. This is the best derby in leinster and Meath v kildare knockout football in late 90s were classics I think we could have real classic on Sunday. But if it downpours then its a dogfight who knows then."

Replying To lambofgod:  "Battle of two second rate division 2 teams to see who will have the pleasure of being destroyed by Dublin again.

Yawn!!"

Replying To Saynothing:  "Where do ye get the time? my scroll buttons wore out."

Replying To lambofgod:  "Battle of two second rate division 2 teams to see who will have the pleasure of being destroyed by Dublin again.

Yawn!!"

Replying To Caoimhog88:  "Kildare dont really fear Meath in all fairness. The way you go on you would think ye are after dominating Leinster for the past 20 years. You beat a division 4 team yesterday on the back of league relegation and suddenly you are looking past the Leinster semi final to a game against Dublin that you expect to win?. Both teams are probably at the same level and it will be a dogfight on Sunday. Kildare have big work to do in the week to improve on yesterdays performance but no matter which team wins next Sunday i cant see it being as one sided as you are alluding to. Pretty sure i read that Meath missed 5 45's yesterday, against better opposition they are must take scores."

Replying To LobinstownMan:  "Gents, please pay no heed to the poorly written inane ramblings of Royaldunne, he neither knows nor represents Meath GAA and he proved himself not to be a man of conviction when he refused to delete his account in 2013 having undertaken to do should Tyrone beat Meath, which they did. Unfortunately, Hoganstand doesn't offer a block function so the more discerning GAA fans among us must breeze past his waffle whenever it pollutes these pages."

Replying To royaldunne:  "Discerning. May I just point out to my fellow posters. This is actually a Kildare poster with one of his many alternative accounts, this one hasn't been used in awhile. He had the good grace to not post this under royalking (another alias) as that one was reported to police after a stalking incident regarding my 11 child on Twitter ( I had to delete the account afterwards on Garda advice ) he then posted details of my child and her sporting achievements on hogan stand. I am thankful that many of my fellow posters went to town on him, it's kinda sad. But also way way too creepy. Posts nothing on game itself but will post on myself.
Anyway I guess having stalkers is a price of fame. :)"