The local rivalries in Leinster can very bitter. I remember that Meath rivalry in the early 2000s. I really hated Meath then but the thing is time heals and I would shout for Meath v Dublin nowadays. That says more about Dublin's dominance really.

I would rank Westmeath's rivaly in the current order with the most fiercest being at the top:

Offaly ( traditional rivalry. The footballing strongholds in either county border each other. Both counties destest each other :))
Meath ( Traditionally a one sided rivalry. Westmeath hated Meath but Meath never minded Westmeath. Rivalry came to a head in 2003)
Laois ( Underage rivalry. Westmeath like Laois mind. Massive respect for them and the minor/U21 battles that defined both counties in the 90s)
Longford (Friendly rivalry. Westmeath like to see Longford do well)
Dublin ( Mismatch nowadays but we used to give them a good game back in the noughties)
Louth ( Sick of the sight of each other. Have a common enemy in Meath but have played each other a lot over the past 3/4 years)
Wicklow ( Back in the 90s when Westmeath were a Div 3/4 team this game generated a lot of animosity)
Kildare ( No rivalry at all really. Kildare tend to win these matches historically usually in the league)
Wexford ( Again no rivalry)
Carlow ( No rivarly)


Really looking forward to Kildare v Laois this weekend. I fancy Kildare due to their physicality but Laois won't fwar Kildare.

Kildare by 2-3 points.

iarmhiman (Westmeath) - Posts: 140 - 02/06/2015 12:07:05    1731308

" I fancy Kildare due to their physicality but Laois won't fwar Kildare."

Kildare being fancied for their physicality, well there's a first time for everything i guess!!

switec (Kildare) - Posts: 525 - 02/06/2015 12:32:19    1731326

Really looking forward to this now, for me there is always a special build up to Laois Kildare games. Anyone think that tickets could be now pretty tricky to come by with the hurling replay taking place beforehand? Get them in fairly quick lads!
I would reckon Kildare are still favourites for this regardless of the league form, they have had a hoodoo over us for the past few years and we just cant seem to get past them. The minors also lost to Kildare this year to a late goal.
We are bloody due though! The last time we won 2 games in the Leinster championship was back in 2007!

Andy (Laois) - Posts: 371 - 02/06/2015 12:52:47    1731345

For Lilies in my part of the county the main rivalry is 1) Meath 2) Dublin then Offaly/Laois, I do have to say though that whatever goes on around the Kildare/Laois border there appears to be a far greater genuine dislike and bitterness down around there.

For the game itself Laois would have to be favourites, they appear to be in better form, have a stronger midfield, seem more sure of what they are about and are a physically stronger and more experienced team at the moment. Quite honestly don't know what to expect from Kildare, we are definitely capable of better than we showed in the league, You have to look back to last years performances against Down & Monaghan for any glimmer of form. Since then we have lost Paddy Brophy, Hugh MCGrillen, Mick Foley, Keith Cribbin, Sean Hurley. Dan Flynn has come and gone again, and we have been relegated to Div 3. Cannot see how Kildare are favourites. we still have a 15 on the day capable of beating laois if we find our best form but our panel and experience is seriously depleted (add in 2014 retirees Johnny Doyle, Ronan Sweeney, Morgan oFlaherty to get the full picture). I expect a blanket defence from Kildare and a backs to the wall performance, We need young lads like Tommy Moolick, Paul Cribbin , Fergal Conway, Fionn Dowling & Niall Kelly to become men on Saturday night for Kildare to win.

NorthKildare (Kildare) - Posts: 197 - 02/06/2015 15:38:02    1731485

I am really looking forward to this game I am heading over to this game myself. I would like to see Kildare win this one I always feel there is something more exciting about a Dublin V Kildare build up.
I was over at the Laois v Dublin O'Byrne cup game and left impressed by Laois (I know only the O'Byrne cup game) then again Kildare were decent against Dublin in the O'Byrne cup final.
I am looking forward to watching a good game of football as a neutral with no real preference for either team.

jacktheDub (Dublin) - Posts: 944 - 02/06/2015 16:18:14    1731503

Good to see Conor Meredith back for Laois. Very comfortable on the ball. Great minor for Laois in 2007 before he came out here to North Melbourne.

crikey (Australia) - Posts: 355 - 04/06/2015 11:29:42    1732281

What's the thought of respective supporters?
Two things Laois are probably slight fav, but for me its about Kildare stopping feeling sorry for themselves, they need a kick up the backside, you are where you are, stop pining for a former manager get the finger out play with pride for county and supporters support the bloody team, too many bandwagon lads over last few years.
Kildare by 2 in a good open game
( ps Kildare leave the tripe football you tried in navan behind you its not what Kildare footballers do)

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 06/06/2015 10:56:57    1733086

Laois powerful midfield to propel them to a narrow victory.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 06/06/2015 11:22:04    1733092

Peter Kelly, Tommy Moolick, Eoin Doyle & Naill Kelly not in starting 15, big losses if they don't play, The 2 kellys had been carrying injuries but Moolick particularly is a surprise, Hopefully he will start. Good to see Cathal McNally back, I expect to see a performance from Kildare tonight with plenty of passion, Hopefully it will be enough to get us over the line

NorthKildare (Kildare) - Posts: 197 - 06/06/2015 12:23:50    1733112

Kildare 11/10 is a great price. Jason Ryan really needs to win this and i think Kildare will.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 06/06/2015 14:08:48    1733150

Should be an interesting game tonight. Laois are strongest in the areas where Kildare are weakest which should give them an edge, and the swing in odds over the last two or three weeks reflects this with Laois going in as favourites now.

Any team missing five starters would find it tough, and obviously with Doyle, Moolick, Keith Cribbin and both Kelly's all out it's going to be a big ask to get one over on a Laois team that will probably treat this as an All Ireland after the hammerings they've received over the last few years.

If we can avoid landing kick outs on top of Begley, O' Loughlin and Quigley we might give ourselves a decent platform to build from. The main worry though is how we'll deal with Munnelly and Kingston, defence has been wide open for a long time now and there's every chance Laois could rack up a decent score tonight.

if_in_doubt (Kildare) - Posts: 3685 - 06/06/2015 14:12:40    1733151

I can guarantee Kildare will play as defensively as you'll have ever seen them play in the champiosnhip today and while Ulster get all the credit/blame there's a good argument there that we invented the blanket and short handpassing play under Micko. What you will see today will be miles more conservative than that.

Either way Kildare's big issue is kickouts and being a soft touch in defense. Dara O'Cinneide gave a brilliant write-up in today's examiner on this. I think we can still win but it's going to be tough. Big pressure on Donnellan and Cribben. 11/10 probably about right but Niall Kelly was a massive loss when he was being rested for the 21's during the league. If he plays no part I think we will really struggle.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 06/06/2015 14:47:10    1733164

Good first half.First 100 or 15 minutes weren't brillinat with a lot of stupid wides from Kildare but since then it's been a really entertaining game.Brendan Quigley has been immense so far as has Donie Kingston.

You'd have to fancy Laois to win it now with the wind behind the and Kingston in the full forward line that the will be sending in a lot of long balls which should cause huge trouble for Kildare.

Kildare need to take their chances.It's unbelievable the amount of simple chances they continue to miss after all these years you'd think they would have improved on that aspect of their game.

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 06/06/2015 19:41:24    1733307

Good match.Really exciting finish and Donie Kingston was simply outstanding.John O'Loughlin played well in the second half also.I think Laois will regret not keeping Kingston in the full forward line in the second half and using the long ball into him.

Should be an entertaining replay hopefully it is on TV.

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 06/06/2015 20:36:12    1733336

Good game, Laois probably should have closed it out but not a bad result for either side, an extra game before playing Dublin should help!!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8597 - 06/06/2015 20:55:23    1733348

Laois people don't have jobs. What are yee on about the craic at work

MartinGerard (Longford) - Posts: 275 - 06/06/2015 21:04:42    1733353

Great game of football, good to have another game.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 06/06/2015 21:09:46    1733355

Was at the game and kildare point in first half was a foot wide. Thinkit was alan Smith, effort for a goal, hit the bar and went wide . Couldn't believe a score was given. Laois missed the boat I reckon by playing too defensively in last ten

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 767 - 06/06/2015 21:31:51    1733368

Great to get another crack at it kildare very wasteful in first half mooloick has to start nextday to compete with begley thought o'grady was outstanding at full back i no he on kingston but thought he really stud up.

cracker95 (Kildare) - Posts: 46 - 07/06/2015 08:47:44    1733390

I think this game shows why as a spectacle Leinster football is still the best, yeah you will get a few hammering but the rivalry is fierce,
On a positive they both will have a competitive match before meeting Dublin

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 07/06/2015 09:25:41    1733394