Here we go again! Round six of what has become Leinster's biggest rivalry and still no sign of a Royal win. And if the bookies are to be believed, they'll be waiting another while to get that elusive victory over Kieran McGeeney's men.

Since beating them in the 2010 All-Ireland quarter-final, Kildare have reigned supreme over their neighbours. Last year, the Lilywhites knocked Meath out of both the Leinster and All-Ireland championships, and also defeated them in the Allianz League. And they also won a memorable Allianz League encounter at Pairc Tailteann last February, which was the first of five successive defeats for the Royals who ended up being relegated to Division 3.

Meath have looked desperately short of confidence since that fateful night in Navan when Ollie Lyons' late fisted point broke their hearts, though there were signs in their comfortable Leinster SFC quarter-final replay victory over Carlow that they may finally be finding a bit of form. The extra game was probably a blessing in disguise for 'Banty' McEnaney's charges who will have learned a lot about themselves from their three championship outings to date.

As expected, Allianz League Division 2 champions Kildare saw off Offaly with the minimum of fuss in their Leinster SFC quarter-final. This could be a make-or-break year for them in their quest to land either a Leinster or All-Ireland title. When a team like Kildare is looking at the bigger picture, there's always a danger they could be caught and by the law of averages, Meath have to beat them some time.

But Kildare's exceptional fitness levels - which are tailor-made for Croke Park - coupled with the absence of big championship performers like Shane O'Rourke and Seamus Kenny from the Meath ranks, will see the Lilywhites reaffirm their superiority.

Verdict: Kildare

Kildare - Shane Connolly, Hugh McGrillen, Michael Foley, Peter Kelly, Eoin Doyle, Morgan O'Flaherty, Ollie Lyons, Emmet Bolton, Robert Kelly, James Kavanagh, Mikey Conway, Padraig O'Neill, John Doyle, Tomás O'Connor, Eoghan O'Flaherty.

Meath - D Gallagher, D Keogan, B Menton, C Lenehan, D Tobin, S McAnarney, M Burke, C Gillespie, B Meade, A Forde, D Carroll, G Reilly, B Farrell, J Sheridan, C Ward.

Odds: Kildare 3/10, Draw 15/2, Meath 10/3

Match Details: Leinster SFC semi-final, Croke Park, Sunday 1 July, 2pm

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