Michael Darragh Macauley believes last year’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final defeat to Mayo has put fire in Dublin for this year’s championship.

The Dubs face Kildare on Saturday evening at Croke Park (5pm) looking to capture their 12th Leinster title in-a-row – and 61st overall – and Macauley says he has been impressed in what he’s seen from his former team in this year’s championship after the disappoint of last year’s extra time exit.

“I would’ve put money on Dublin to win that game,” Macauley told BelfastLive.co.uk of the Mayo defeat.

“It’s definitely put a fire in them now. It’s going to be interesting to see how they respond but they’ve been strong so far.

“Of course they can win the All-Ireland. Dublin will be in the mix, for sure. That was one of the best offensive displays I’ve seen in a long time, the last day (against Meath).

“The opposition was what it was the last day, they weren’t what we expected from Meath unfortunately — but Meath were also unlucky to get Dublin on a night when their scoring efficiency was off the charts.

“Having that clinical edge will be huge going down the stretch this year.”

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