Comment: Donegal clash could have consequences beyond 2024 for Kildare

Saturday's Allianz Football League, Division 2 clash between Kildare and Donegal in Netwatch Cullen Park (throw-in 5 pm) was looked upon as probably one of the bigger game when this season's league fixtures were announced.

It was hoped that Kildare would have their place well secured in the division by the time this Round 6 clash came around, while hoping at the same time a promotion place might still be up for grabs.

Well things have not, unfortunately, worked out in that regard.

The Lilies are on a dire run after losses to Cavan, Fermanagh, Armagh, Meath and Cork, and are now staring down the barrel of relegation.

Donegal, on the other hand, are top of the table, unbeaten with four wins and one draw, that draw with fellow promotion candidates Armagh edging them (Donegal) on top on scoring differences.

Donegal have defeated Cork, Cavan, Fermanagh and Louth and after Saturday's clash with Kildare their final game in the league will be a home game against Meath.

Kildare's final game the weekend after the Donegal clash is another 'home' game against Louth.

Kildare and Donegal last met when both were dining at the top table of Division 1; Ballybofey was the venue with the home side coming out on top 2-11 to 1-9 with goals from Paddy McBrearty and Ryan McHugh while Jimmy Hyland got the Kildare goal, The Larks player being the main man (1-4) for the visitors on the day.

This time of course Donegal will have Jim McGuinness in their corner; no Michael Murphy, forced off in the first half against Kildare in 2022 (as was Kevin Feely) and he (Murphy) has since retired.

So contrasting fortunes since Kildare and Donegal last met, and that's putting it mildly, with Donegal all but assured of promotion to the top division while Kildare, well, we'll wait and see.

In fairness to Glenn Ryan and his Kildare side, injury-wise anything that could go wrong has gone wrong but as the manager constantly reminds us when a player(s) misses out through injury it presents an opportunity to another player on the panel.

Many have got chances.

Few have, as of yet, taken the opportunity.

Maybe it is a bit harsh to expect players, especially young players, to make an instant impact, especially when coming onto a team that is struggling and struggling big time. Maybe in time some of those players who have enjoyed success at underage level will make it on the bigger stage but unfortunately time is not on their side, certainly not in 2024 anyway.

Hamstring injuries seem to be the order of the day.

Jimmy Hyland.

Darragh Kirwan.

Kevin Flynn.

Barry Kelly.

To name just a few.

Add in the unfortunate injury suffered by Ben McCormack that will see him miss out on any more action in the league, hopefully the Sarsfields man will be available come Leinster Championship time but there can be no guarantees on that at this stage either.

Of the other walking wounded it will be later in the week before we have any update. Having said that it will probably be ten minutes before Saturday's throw-in before we have definite news of who is in and who is not available.

Nevertheless it has been a season, to date, best forgotten.

Now make no mistake about it with our without injuries this was always going to be a tough league for Kildare.

It is probably a league more competitive than Division 1 such are the connotations that can ensue from league finishing places.

As of now it seems certain that Kildare have one route and one route only to compete in this season's All-Ireland series.

And that is to make it to the final of the Leinster SFC.

Kildare have been drawn on the perceived, and I stress preceived, weaker side of the provincial draw.

Well it was looked upon it that way when the draw was made initially, avoiding both Dublin and Meath looked like a big break at the time.

Since then and the poor form of Kildare one could argue there is no soft draw anymore for The Lilies.

For the record Kildare are through to the quarter-final of Leinster where they will come up against the winners of the preliminary round between Westmeath and Wicklow, that quarter-final is penciled in for 21 May.

If Kildare come through that they will then take on the winners of Louth v Carlow/ Wexford for a place in the Leinster final, the winner, if not already qualified, will be then guaranteed a place in the All-Ireland series.

Those counties who have not qualified through their league placing and do not make it to the Leinster final will then go into The Tailteann Cup.

That is how serious the situation is for Kildare (and many other counties also).

We have said practically prior to every game in this season's league campaign how vital and important the next game would be.

A six pointer, etc, etc, etc.

Fair to say that Saturday's clash with Louth is even more than a six pointer.

The result could have repercussions for Kildare not just for 2024 but for 2025 and possibly a season or two after that.

So a massive, massive game for The Lilies.

There is a lot more at stake than survival in Division 2 hanging on the outcome of this game.

A hell of a lot more.