KILDARE v LONGFORD
(Croke Park, Tomorrow, 12.0)
LONGFORD will aim to secure their fifth provincial title when they meet Kildare in their Electric Ireland Leinster MFC at GAA headquarters tomorrow afternoon.
The Lilies may enter the game as warm favourites after their impressive victory over Dublin last Sunday week but their opponents tomorrow highlighted their potential when eclipsing a talented Meath outfit in the semi-final.
That 1-9 to 0-8 success in Pearse Park showcased the defensive solidity that has been a feature of their campaign to date with just 2-25 conceded in their successive wins against Wicklow, Carlow and Meath.
Longford's ability to finish the game in the ascendancy after being pegged back by Meath in the closing stages reflects well on their mental toughness and that attribute will be required against a Kildare team that has improved incrementally over the summer.
Their 3-16 to 3-13 win over Dublin combined a mixture of good and bad with their forward line hugely economical throughout while in contrast, their defence was alarmingly slack at times.
It is highly unlikely that Kildare's forward line will enjoy the same latitude tomorrow lunchtime with Longford well primed to belie their underdog status with a narrow win.
VERDICT: Longford
leinster mfc final