Kilmacud attack can seize the day

The AIB Leinster club championships this decade have been evenly divided between Dublin and Carlow, admittedly with more variety…

The AIB Leinster club championships this decade have been evenly divided between Dublin and Carlow, admittedly with more variety from Dublin, three of whose clubs have shared four titles. Carlow's haul is entirely composed of Eire Og's achievements.

Although there is a season left in the 1990s, tomorrow's second replay of the Leinster final between Eire Og and Kilmacud Crokes brings together the province's most successful clubs this decade.

On the pitch, the issue can be reduced to whether the Carlow champions can improve their share of possession, particularly in midfield, and whether Kilmacud can demonstrate greater accuracy in taking chances.

Team selections suggest that the Dubliners are taking more direct action in addressing their problems. Colin Redmond is dropped from wing forward in a reshuffle which brings in Robbie Brennan at full forward. Brennan is an uncomplicated forward who will go for scores off most possession. His more direct threat is presumably intended to create space for Mick O'Keeffe and Ray Cosgrove in the corners.

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Pat Critchley's response to Eire Og's problems has been more circuitous. Muckle Keating's recall is unremarkable - his scoring record at this level is impressive and on the basis of the two matches to date, Eire Og don't appear to have another forward of comparable menace.

Willie Quinlan's return from injury will enhance the team's ball-winning capacity in that the diminutive corner forward will spend most of the match between the 40s, hoovering up broken ball.

Yet it is in the middle that Eire Og have experienced most difficulty. Hughie Brennan's impact on midfield was noticeable when he was introduced in both matches but he still starts on the bench. In his absence, it would have made sense to switch Jody Morrissey and Garvan Ware. Morrissey's energy and reading of the game has worked as well at centre forward, whereas the tall Ware's fielding ability is missed in the middle.

As weather has improved somewhat in the last seven weeks, the conditions will favour Kilmacud, whose pacier attack prospered during the more clement months of the county championship. The Dubliners also look to have done more to address their shortcomings and get the nod to progress to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Crossmaglen Rangers.