GET A GRIP: Meath’s Graham Reilly tries to shake off Kildare’s Eamonn Callaghan in the League
By Sean Goff | Sports writer
A footballing double header at Croke Park on Sunday sees All-Ireland champions Dublin take on Wexford (4pm) while Meath face Kildare (2pm).
The reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin are 1/10 to beat the Slaneysiders in Paddy Power’s online betting but it’s a tie they have struggled in previously before recovering to assert their authority.
With the monkey of an All-Ireland win finally off their backs and confidence high after a 16-point win over Louth the Capital should really have too much firepower for Jason Ryan’s Wexford side.
Bryan Cullen will wear the captain’s armband for the Dubs with Diarmuid Connolly, Kevin McManamon and Bernard Brogan leading the forward line.
Goals could be easier to come by in this clash than the preceding contest and if the LAST score in any of the above matches is a GOAL, Paddy Power will refund all losing single first goalscorer, last goalscorer, anytime goalscorer and first team goalscorer bets.
Kildare and Meath promises to be a much closer affair as there was only a point between the sides (2-11 to 0–18) when they met in the League. Kildare went on from that victory to land the Division Two title.
Meath’s form has been patchy and former Monaghan boss Seamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney is under huge pressure to deliver for the Royal County. That eased somewhat when they ran out 0-16 to 0-11 winners over Wicklow but won’t be long in returning if they are turned over on Sunday.
Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney names an unchanged Lilywhite side from the one that comfortably saw off Offaly 0-19 to 0-6 two weeks ago.
Seanie Johnston’s contentious ‘transfer’ from Cavan football has generated more heat than light in recent months and that won’t have been helped by his one minute appearance at a club hurling game.
That cameo role now makes Johnston eligible for the clash with Meath.
McGeeney will hope that the football will do the talking on Sunday as they push for that elusive first All-Ireland final appearance since 1998.
