Meath at full strength for Kildare test
Meath manager Eamonn O'Brien will have a full panel to chose from, including team captain Nigel Crawford, as Meath take on Kildare on Sunday in a bid to reach their third All-Ireland SFC semi-final in four years. Sunday's joust with Kildare will rekindle memories of the 1997 three-game saga against Kildare, from which Meath emerged victorious after the contribution of Jody Devine forced a second replay. Next Sunday's game promises to be a different proposition. Kildare, on a roll through the qualifiers, have built up a great momentum and their clash with Meath will be their sixth game in as many weeks. For Meath, many of the injuries that hindered the early part of the campaign have cleared up with Niall McKeigue, Davy Dalton and Crawford all fully fit. Long-term absentees Michael Burke and David Bray will continue to sit out the action, but Paddy O'Rourke is available following his suspension. "There are no fresh injury concerns following the club action. Everyone is raring to go and we are all looking forward to the game, hopefully we can keep going until September," O'Brien told the Meath Chronicle. There will be a real Meath favour at Croke Park on Sunday. St Mary's clubman Cormac Reilly will take charge of the Cork v Roscommon All-Ireland SFC quarter-final, a curtainraiser for Meath's clash with Kildare. Moynalty referee Joey Curley will be in charge of the Cork v Armagh All-Ireland MFC quarter-final at midday. Sligo man Marty Duffy will take charge of his second Meath game in the 2010 championship when he will handle Sunday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Kildare. Duffy was the man in the middle when Meath faced Laois in the Leinster SFC quarter-final. That game ended in a 2-13 to 1-16 draw and Duffy was praised in most quarters for having a decent game. There were few incidents of note in the Laois game and while Duffy isn't everyone's favourite referee, Meath supporters can have no complaints about the appointment. There will also be a Meath man in charge of the biggest game of the weekend on Saturday. Blackhall Gaels official David Coldrick has been handed the whistle for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final between Dublin and Tyrone. It has been a very busy year for Meath referees with Reilly and Coldrick featuring regularly in big games. Coldrick was in charge of the Ulster SFC final while Reilly has also proved himself to be very reliable with some excellent displays. The appointments once again raise the profile of refereeing in Meath and Referees' Co-Ordinator Jimmy Henry was delighted with the appointments. "Once again it has shown that through hard work young referees can make it to the top," he told the Meath Chronicle. Tickets (stand €35/Hill 16 €25) for Sunday's game are available through clubs, Jack Kiernan or from ticketmaster. Family tickets are only available for the Cusack and Davin stands. Students and OAPs must buy their tickets at full price, but can receive a €10 concession when they present their ticket with appropriate ID at the designated stall on the Cusack Stand.