Kildare's strengths just not enough to shift title favourites

Tyrone v Kildare:IN THE not so distant past this would have been viewed as the classic clash of football styles – the pure football of Kildare, and the, well, puke football of Tyrone.

Things have changed. No one can deny Tyrone now play the most impressive and effective brand of football in the country. It’s lovely to look at and difficult to foil.

Kildare have gone through a little metamorphosis of their own, and in many ways come closer to the style and indeed strengths of their opponents. No prizes for guessing why. Kieran McGeeney, the former Armagh captain, has been feeding them beef cakes rather than rice cakes since taking over as manger and every Kildare player has the biceps to prove it. Tomorrow, therefore, will be a clash of two teams with more similarities than differences.

There was something awesomely menacing about the way Tyrone took Antrim apart in the Ulster final. Their physical conditioning is outstanding and while they only played in spurts, that’s all they had to do. They never moved out of third gear, and it was like watching a class distance runner ease his way through the qualifying heats, cutely maintaining all his energy for the bigger showdowns.

With just one enforced change from that Antrim defeat, Tyrone are also at virtually full strength. Former number one goalkeeper Pascal McConnell comes in to replace the injured John Devine, who dislocated his shoulder at training last weekend and looks set to miss the rest of the season.

Seán Cavanagh rediscovered his footballer-of-the-year form against Antrim, hitting 1-4 from midfield, beside Kevin Hughes, who himself looks more comfortable than ever in the position. Their indefatigable captain Brian Dooher was typically influential around the half-forward line, and while Stephen O’Neill was held scoreless the last day, it would take a brave man to bet on that happening again here.

In total they’ll start with 11 of the team from year’s All-Ireland final. Owen Mulligan has regained his starting place with real purpose, looking fitter than ever, and hitting three sweet points the last day. Ryan Mellon continues to be hampered by a hamstring injury and is the only high-profile loss, but overall Tyrone are in rude health.

McGeeney, in contrast, has several injury problems. Mikey Conway, who sustained knee ligament damage against Wicklow last Saturday, is a serious loss, and his energetic, intelligent football won’t be easily replaced. Gary White made a telling impact against Wicklow when coming in for Conway and he starts tomorrow. Eamonn Callaghan, who has been troubled by a groin strain recently, is recalled in place of Ken Donnelly.

The one thing Kildare do have going for them is they’ve been tested to the hilt, against Wicklow in the qualifiers and against Dublin in the Leinster final.

Tyrone have yet to have their backs against the wall this summer. That may give Kildare some real hope, and for sure they can match Tyrone in the physical stakes, but can they match their footballing nous and experience?

TYRONE:P McConnell; PJ Quinn, Justin McMahon, R McMenamin; D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan; K Hughes, S Cavanagh; B Dooher, T McGuigan, Joe McMahon; M Penrose, S O'Neill, O Mulligan.

KILDARE: T Corley; E Bolton, H McGrillen, M Foley; M O'Flaherty, B Flanagan, G White; D Flynn, D Earley; J Kavanagh, P O'Neill, R Sweeney; E Callaghan, A Smith, J Doyle.

Referee:Gearóid Ó Conamha (Galway).

In the last episode:No championship evidence to go on here, but their last league clash – in February last year – suggests the evenness of the teams after a low-scoring encounter in Omagh where Pádraig Mullarkey salvaged a draw for Kildare with a last-minute goal – 1-4 to Tyrone's 0-7.

You bet:Tyrone are 3/10 to beat the Kildare but the 5/6 on Kildare (+4) in the handicap betting is attracting some interest as this could be a tight game. Kildare are 10/3 and the draw is priced at 9/1.

On your marks: Kildare wouldn't want to allow Tyrone do what they did against Antrim in the Ulster final, and to several other teams in the past, or it will be all over very quickly. Kildare didn't start well against Dublin, nor against Laois before that, so clearly that's an issue that has to be addressed.

Gaining ground:Tyrone manager Mickey Harte says his team are so comfortable in Croke Park that they practically consider it a home venue, and it's hard to argue with that. They rarely play poorly there, but Kildare are well familiar with the place themselves after the Leinster final.

Just the ticket:Still on sale from gaa.ie and will be at the GAA's ticket shop at 53 Lower Dorset Street tomorrow, and before the match. The upper deck of the Cusack Stand has been opened to cater for interest but unfortunately Hill 16 isn't – which means the only prices available are the €35 for the stand, with the usual concessions for juveniles (€5), senior citizens and students (€15). Group passes are €3 per child and one adult per 10 juveniles free of charge.

Crystal gazing: There was a swagger about Tyrone in the Ulster final that was wholly suggestive they mean business as much as ever this year, all the way to the defence of their All-Ireland title.