Comment: If things are to improve, this is the perfect opportunity

No shortage of effort. No shortage of commitment. No shortage of giving it everything. But in the end the inevitable happened on this Kildare's third visit to their 'home' of 2024, Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow.

Six games in total.

Six defeats.

Relegation.

And loss of Division 2 status.

And all that with one game still remaining.

To call it disappointing is a bit of an understatement.

From a Kildare point of view, a football point of view, it is just shattering.

Shattering for the players.

Shattering for the team management.

Shattering for the supporters.

All at a time when we are awaiting the completion of the re-development of St Conleth's Park.

A newly redeveloped stadium.

A 2,00 all-seater stand and all the other ancillary facilities.

And Division 3 football to boot.

But before that the Leinster SFC (after completing game seven in this season's AFL when Louth are the visitors this Saturday).

Just three weeks away from this coming weekend Kildare are due to meet the winners of the Westmeath verses Wicklow preliminary round Leinster clash.

And unless there is a shock of monumental proportions it should be Westmeath who are on a great run at the minute.

So nothing easy there.

And it does not get any easier if that particular hurdle is overcome.

Louth, Saturday's opponents, will certainly be eying up a place in the semi-final and a possible clash with Kildare.

Remember reaching the Leinster final is now Kildare's only way forward to competing in the All-Ireland series.

The alternative?

The Tailteann Cup.

The Cup for the also-rans.

The Cup for the weaker counties.

The Cup for those in the second tier.

It was won last season by Meath and while at the time Colm O'Rourke said The Royal's run in the competition last season would be a help as he was rebuilding his team, hopefully from his point of view, to better times.

However Mr O'Rourke made it very clear his feelings in his after-match interview following his side's win over Kildare a few weeks ago: “The last thing we want is to go back into that” he said.

Of course having won it last season means Meath are guaranteed a place in the All-Ireland series in 2024, regardless of where they finish in Division 2, where they will again play in the AFL next season.

If there was pressure on Kildare over the last number of weeks, which there definitely was, then that pressure is not going to evaporate following the completion of the league this coming weekend.

There is little doubt there were signs, small, but signs, over the last two games against Cork and Donegal last week that maybe things are turning, albeit slowly.

Two goals against Cork giving them a five point lead, and a third green flag in the second half.

Add in a first half last week against Donegal that saw The Lilies trail by just two points.

However, as against Cork, the opening ten minutes on the resumption saw hopes wiped out.

When one looks at the stats, looks at the facts it shows just how far off the mark Kildare still are despite those hopeful signs.

A total of 1-8 scored against Donegal would win, lets be honest and truthful, absolutely nothing.

Donegal raised 17 white flags, eight in the opening half, all from play remember, and then added another nine points.

Those seventeen points came from nine different players and another impressive stat, just one of those points came from a free.

Kildare's total came from just three players.

Alex Beirne, in an impressive display, scored 1-3, all from open play; Kevin Feely, another fine game from the Athy man, hit 0-4, three frees and one mark.

The only other point from a player in a white shirt came from Shane Farrell, the young man having a fine opening half in this only his second start.

So, no doubt, Glenn Ryan and his management team have a massive job on their hands to lift confidence, improve belief and get back to winning ways.

And all in a matter of weeks.

This task must get under way this coming Saturday in the final league game.

One can argue that Kildare have nothing to play for while a win for Louth can see them retain their Division 2 status.

So everything points to a win for Ger Brennan's side?

Well, not necessarily.

In fact Saturday's clash with Louth could prove very beneficial to Kildare.

It gives The Lilies one last chance, before the commencement of the championship, to first of all record a much-needed victory but secondly an opportunity to lift that confidence that is no doubt on the floor at present.

Saturday's game could in fact make or break what is left of a very disappointing season to date.

A win would certainly give the impetus and the momentum that Glenn Ryan spoke of after last week's defeat to Donegal.

Most Kildare observers believe there is a lot more in this Kildare side than what we are seeing at present.

You can point out various reasons and various beliefs as to why Kildare find themselves where they are at the minute.

But, at this stage of the season, that is totally irrelevant, for now.

What is vitally important at this juncture is Kildare to get that win; the time for putting in a good performance, regardless of the result, are gone.

If Kildare are to pick up their game, to show they can play at a different level than what they have been showing of late, a win over Louth is not just vital — in the greater scheme of things — it is absolutely imperative.