Both Dublin and Kildare can consider themselves somewhat lucky to have this second chance at capturing the Leinster title, but perhaps Kildare will feel that bit more relieved. The lack of a free taker cost the Dubs dear in the end, and the injuries to Ciarán Whelan and Ian Robertson snuffed out a lot of the attacking threat that the Dubs possess. Dublin have left a vacancy at full-forward, and the general thinking is that Vinney Murphy will fill the AN Other position. Do not be surprised however if Tom Carr and his selectors nominate someone with proven free taking ability to fill the vacant berth.
Kildare have named the same side that started against the Dubs in the drawn game, but the return to the panel of Karl O'Dwyer will be a boost to all the players, and the management, led by his father Mick, will not hesitate to introduce him if the forwards are misfiring.
A lot has been written about this Kildare forward line, but they seemed to silence the critics with the display against Offaly. They did not kick that many wides in the drawn final either, but on several occasions committed the even greater sin of kicking tamely into the hands of Davy Byrne, thereby gifting possession to the Dubs.
Kildare will be anxious to take the title and march on, in what is likely to be Mick O'Dwyer's last year in the job, but the path to glory is full of pitfalls. Their forwards will have to open up and start scoring if Kildare are to be seen as a good bet for the Championship. Dublin will be pleased to have another go, and with Ciarán Whelan fitter then he was in the drawn game, and the fact that they have a tough Championship game under their belt for the first time this year, the Dubs will take the title by three or four points.
