How do you stop the Dublin juggernaut? Mick O'Dwyer, Larry Tompkins and John Maughan have their say.

On course for a 10th Leinster title in 11 years, Jim Gavin's sky blues are priced at 1/33 to send Kildare packing in tomorrow's Leinster SFC semi-final.

So what have the underdogs to do to have any chance of pulling off an upset?

The Irish Independent put that question to O'Dwyer, Tomkins and Maughan ...

Mick O'Dwyer:

"I'd drop the two midfielders back to tighten the defence and have the wing-forwards pull out towards midfield. Kildare have to block off as much space as possible in their own half, but they need an attacking plan too.

"If there's any weakness in Dublin, it's on the defensive side. You've got to hit them with quick attacks. No point working the ball over and back, hoping to find a gap.

"Go quick and direct. Interchange the corner-forwards all the time, move the full-forward in an out. Make Dublin think. To make it all work, you've got be very accurate. That's where basic skills come in. Don't give the ball away with sloppy passing. You'll have enough to worry about without making simple mistakes."

Larry Tompkins:

"The first thing the Kildare players have to do is stand up and be counted. You can have all the plans and tactics and formations you like but you're at nothing if you don't have a raw, wild determination to win.

"And if things start going against you, double your efforts. Be as driven as you have to be. This is what you've trained for.

"Tactics-wise, be as negative as you have to be. It mightn't make for a great spectacle but if the powers-that-be don't seem to mind how Gaelic football is played, it's not up to Kildare - or any other team for that matter - to try and sort it out.

"Pack the defence, suffocate Dublin and see how they like it. Anyone can play well when they're allowed to but it's different when the pressure comes on as Dublin found against Donegal last year. Rotate players back and forth - break when the chance arises. Most of all - be in Dublin's faces all the time. It's 15 v 15 - remember that."

John Maughan:

"I wouldn't go with a massed defence and everyone behind the ball. Remember how Dublin kicked points from all over the place early on against Donegal last year. It was only when Donegal fell behind and came out to play that the pattern changed.

"Admittedly, Dublin could have been out the gate by then, but they weren't. Dublin will expect Kildare to set up very defensively so give them something else to think about.

"Sligo did it brilliantly against Roscommon last Saturday, making sure they had men back but also keeping the attacking lines open. By all means, populate the midfield area but make sure you have four forwards well up all the time. Kildare should go out and express themselves. Have a cut. Getting 13 behind the ball won't do any better for them."

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