Kildare v Laois: 5 key battles that will have a major impact on proceedings
Kildare take on Laois tomorrow in the Leinster quarter-final as Cian O'Neill and his side look to make it into the last four of the provincial competition once again, and despite being heavy favourites in the eyes of the bookmakers, it's unlikely that this game will be a one-sided affair.
Laois come into this one on the back of a facile 11-point win over Longford that is sure to have built some confidence within their camp following a demoralising relegation to the fourth tier of the National League this spring, while Kildare have had to wait almost eight weeks between their league final against Galway in April and tomorrow's outing in O'Connor Park, Tullamore, at 3pm.
As always, there will be a number of key battles that will decide the outcome of this game, and KildareNow has had a look at some of the likely match-ups.
David Hyland v Donie Kingston
The Athy man is not the biggest full-back in Ireland, but he has proven himself more than capable of handling a variety of different styles of forwards in the last three years. He will have his hands full with the powerful Kingston who scored 1-4 against Longford last time out and is central to everything the O’Moore Men do in attack. The likes of Mick O’Grady and Ollie Lyons will need to chip in to help their colleague when the long balls arrive in the square.
Eoin Doyle v Evan O’Carroll
The Kildare captain has been in fine form in 2017, more often than not getting the better of his direct opponent throughout the league, and it seems likely that he will pick up young Laois star Evan O’Carroll on Sunday. 21-year-old O’Carroll has starred for various Laois underage sides over the years, and he has made a seamless step up to senior level. Fast, fearless and direct, O’Carroll is sure to test Doyle.
Kevin Feely v Colm Begley
One is a former professional soccer player, the other a former professional Australian Rules footballer, and both are pivotal to their team’s chances. Utility man Begley has been operating at midfield more often than not this year, and he has the athleticism to match up well against the classy Feely. The Athy man will also take over free-taking duties in the absence of the injured Neill Flynn, making his performance even more important on Sunday.
Niall Kelly v Stephen Attride
Kelly is pivotal to Kildare’s gameplan and has proved himself as both an exceptional playmaker and an expert score-taker since bursting onto the scene. Attride has the mobility to track Kelly wherever he goes, and you can be sure that Laois manager Peter Creedon is more than aware of the threat that the diminutive Athy man poses. Should Kelly pull the strings to his full capabilities, Kildare’s chances of winning will be greatly enhanced.
Daniel Flynn v Denis Booth
It’s quite surprising to see that Daniel Flynn’s last appearance for Kildare in the championship came almost four years ago, but a combination of injuries and a move to Australia to play AFL has meant that the Johnstownbridge man hasn’t featured since the All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Tyrone in 2013. He offers so much to Kildare from the edge of the square, and his powerful running when he drifts out from goal makes him a massive attacking weapon in the team’s arsenal. His ability to bag three or four points a game when he’s on song makes means a good game from the 22-year-old could go a long way to the Lilywhites coming out on top.