Kildare v Longford

Longford it is lads, pity it's not in Newbridge but if we play to our potential we will win.

They were saying on the Sunday Game last night that Longford's ground might not be able to stage the qualifier if a big crowd was expected. Even though they did play Carlow there in Round 1.

That's Longford in the senior qualifier on Saturday and in the minor final on Sunday.

Longford's first game in Leinster was against Offaly in Tullamore

Away draw again, but on the plus side it's not away to Roscommon. If we get to play them in a neutral venue that would be a big help. They are tricky enough customers and beat Clare who we scrapped over last year. If we are not at 100% we won't beat them and they will see this as a big opportunity to progress to where they don't often be.
Jack Sheedy will know our players, so we won't hold any surprises to them.

I rate this as a 50/50 game at best.

By that criteria, a win would be a great result. Agree completely that playing it in Pearse Park makes it more difficult.

Maybe we could move this game to Sunday at 12 to be the Curtain raiser for the Minors.

Bad News Baba wrote:

Maybe we could move this game to Sunday at 12 to be the Curtain raiser for the Minors.

Going on our recent past, if we had been drawn at home our county board would have probably have requested that we play in Croke Park

Gaa1928 wrote:

Bad News Baba wrote:

Maybe we could move this game to Sunday at 12 to be the Curtain raiser for the Minors.

Going on our recent past, if we had been drawn at home our county board would have probably have requested that we play in Croke Park

Is the minor game not on at 12 ??

jj wrote:

Gaa1928 wrote:

Bad News Baba wrote:

Maybe we could move this game to Sunday at 12 to be the Curtain raiser for the Minors.

Going on our recent past, if we had been drawn at home our county board would have probably have requested that we play in Croke Park

Is the minor game not on at 12 ??

Yeah I think you right, Leinster Football Final on at 2.00 p.m. and Munster Hurling Final on at 4.00 p.m.

Shows how far we have fallen that people rate Longford as a 50/50 match. And while this was probably the team we wanted I would have less confidence than I did versus Offaly. Longford proved themselves a better championship team than Offaly in Tullamore and have real pedegree in the qualifiers, particularly at home (if it is at home). Hopefully it will be played on neutral ground but it's unfortunately going to be another nail biter I fear.

Maybe our luck is turning though having avoided Roscommon who I think would muller our defence.

Kildare by 2.

One big aspect I would worry about is our lack of improvement. With McGeeney we would start the Championship slowly which caught us on the hop more than once, but as the qualifiers progressed we would get stronger and stronger. At the moment there is zero improvement, in fact apart from those 10 minutes against Laois our performance has declined as we have went along.
Offaly just weren't good enough to take advantage.

There has to be a point the team improves with games played, four this year already, Longoford will be five if it doesn't then that is an even bigger indictment of the manager than anything

Looks like 6 football qualifiers and 2 hurling qualifiers scheduled to be played this Saturday, times for throw in's will be interesting.

You would think Tyrone v Meath and Cork v Clare live on T.V. ????

Bad News Baba wrote:

One big aspect I would worry about is our lack of improvement. With McGeeney we would start the Championship slowly which caught us on the hop more than once, but as the qualifiers progressed we would get stronger and stronger. At the moment there is zero improvement, in fact apart from those 10 minutes against Laois our performance has declined as we have went along.
Offaly just weren't good enough to take advantage.

There has to be a point the team improves with games played, four this year already, Longoford will be five if it doesn't then that is an even bigger indictment of the manager than anything

I honestly don't think there is that much, if any, improvement left in the tank when you see the lack of options we have off the bench. At the moment we are at roughly the same level as Longford and generally we have a good record against such teams. Think we will get home by 3 or 4 after a good battle

Am actually more confident about this than the Offaly game. Offaly hammered them in the league final and were well on top in the championship until Niall Smith got a black card and Paul McConway (who cleaned out Brian Kavanagh) got injured. Might not be much in it but unless we pick up any more injuries, we'll win. Reckon we might have another trip to Tullamore if Longford is deemed unsuitable.

it's not going to be easy but hopefully P Kelly and T Moolick are ready to start along with F Conway and Podge. I'd also like to see M Sherry given a chance at half forward. None of the above is likely to happen of course. Longford have taken some big scalps in the last few years and will really fancy their chances

Tullamore would be nice, and why not play the minor final before it ???? probably better then playing it in an empty Croke Park.

KFM saying it's not going to be played in Longford, no venue announced though possibly Mullingar at 7pm.

Gaa1928 wrote:

Tullamore would be nice, and why not play the minor final before it ???? probably better then playing it in an empty Croke Park.

Would be great for the supporters but probably can't happen as the Leinster Council run the minor final and the Central Council run the qualifiers.

I'd say Mullingar would be more likely than Tullamore as Longford will get to choose.

JohnnyC wrote:

Gaa1928 wrote:

Tullamore would be nice, and why not play the minor final before it ???? probably better then playing it in an empty Croke Park.

Would be great for the supporters but probably can't happen as the Leinster Council run the minor final and the Central Council run the qualifiers.

I'd say Mullingar would be more likely than Tullamore as Longford will get to choose.

Also people from KE and Longford will already have bought tickets for Croker for the minor final so it won't be moved. At least that's 2 days out for those of you in the country this week end. I'm abroad unfortunately.

Cusack Park, Mullingar, 7pm

Anyone know why Fermanagh keep getting Sunday afternoon games in the qualifiers? Seems like it's one rule for them and another for the rest.

LillieLad wrote:

Cusack Park, Mullingar, 7pm

Horrible time, wont' be back in town until after 10. As sure so be it.

lillyboy wrote:

it's not going to be easy but hopefully P Kelly and T Moolick are ready to start along with F Conway and Podge. I'd also like to see M Sherry given a chance at half forward. None of the above is likely to happen of course.  Longford have taken some big scalps in the last few years and will really fancy their chances

Be amazed if Moolick doesn't start.

Moolick's impact when replacing Chalky, twice now, has been immense.
Chalky is just far too slow and is not physical enough to win primary ball in midfield.
Moolick must be back training now for the guts of 2 months - surely he must be up to speed by now and ready to start games.

I would agree although I think everyone knows Chalky isn't a primary ball winner and that has never been his role in the team. He has play a defensive role. I wouldn't necessarily be bringing Moolick in for Chalky. But bring Moolick in I definitely would. I would say he has to be up to speed now and Jason Ryan's comments last Saturday seemed to suggest as much. I cannot see how you can leave him out given his ball-winning ability and his threat going forward.