Published: Wednesday, 27th June, 2012 5:00pm

Meath ready to upset the odds

Meath's David Gallagher and Kildare's Aindriú Mac Lochlainn will do battle in Sunday's Leinster SFC semi-final at Croke Park.
Pic by==: 97

The clock is ticking and time marches relentlessly on towards Sunday's eagerly anticipated Leinster SFC semi-final against Kildare at Croke Park.

Nobody is giving Meath a hope of springing a surprise against Kieran McGeeney's highly rated superstars, but in the Meath camp confidence is high, even if there are lingering concerns over the fitness of several players.

Aside from the already confirmed absentees Mark Ward, Seamus Kenny, Shane O'Rourke and Paddy Gilsenan, Meath continue to have fitness worries over Kevin Reilly, Brian Meade, Mickey Burke, Joe Sheridan and Stephen Bray.

Bray is likely to return after a long lay-off, but without any competitive football for almost two months it would be difficult to expect him to slot back into the groove for such a competitive contest.

Reilly is still troubled by an Achilles problem, Burke only took part in light training last week as did Sheridan, but the biggest concern is over Meade and his chances of being fit are rated at 40-60.

As well as all the injury concerns Meath will also have to contend with having referee Michael Collins take charge. However, Tom Keague believes Meath will just have to get on with the job and not worry about the referee.

"We were surprised that Michael Collins was appointed to this game, but we have to get on with it and we'll discuss his display after the game. All we can do is worry about ourselves and get our performance right," enthused Keague.

"We know Kildare are a huge talent, they are in the top three or four in the country. They have strength all over their panel, but we would love to be in contention with 10 minutes to go and see where that takes us.

"I'm delighted with the mentality of our young players. They are a confident bunch and I can't see the occasion bothering them. I think they will enjoy Croke Park and the experience, they will have no hang ups about playing anyone in Croke Park, they are looking forward to it and they will be ready.

"We are delighted to be in the semi-final and we are looking forward to the challenge that Kildare will bring.

"We know it will be a big challenge because we will be massive underdogs, but when we arrive in Croke Park we have a great tradition and as far as we are concerned it will be an even money game, so we won't be reading into the bookmakers odds.

"A lot of lads are coming into great form and training is going really well, so we are looking forward to the challenge.

"We didn't play well against Carlow in the drawn game and that wouldn't have been a great way to head into the Kildare game, but at least we played good football in the replay and we are in a better frame of mind now.

"We have a great group of young players with eight or nine lads under 23 and I've been fierce impressed with them.

"The younger players have given the whole panel great energy, even the senior players are buzzing off the younger lads and that is fantastic, so we are really looking forward to the challenge," said the Meath selector.

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