Comment: Memories, nostalgia... and the odd misty eye as curtain closes on Kildare's home

It was a day to remember. A day full of nostalgia. A day for many, including this writer, full of emotion; something I have to admit I was not expecting but from the massive welcome Kildare received when they came on to the pitch; to the National Anthem brilliantly sung by Newbridge Gospel Choir; to the half-time offering from the same group, to the final song Time To Say Goodbye performed by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. And while the pair were not physically present (surprise, surprise) such was the impact that song had, one or two were spotted with, shall we say, a misty eye.

Add in the parade from young players waving their club colours while the Mini Teams from Carbury and Kildangan putting on a half-time exhibition and you can get what can only be described as a magical send-off as St Conleth's Park closed its doors with the bulldozers on standby to commence the redevelopment less than 24 hours later.

We have been known in these columns down the years (too many to even remember) to criticise the Co. Board when it was felt it was needed so it is only fair to congratulate all concerned from the Chairman, the officers and all concerned on a job not just well done but expertly done on Sunday afternoon.

We can only await with bated breath for some 18 months or so time, and another performance from the Gospel Singers, the young flag-waving youths and another showing in the Mini Games.

Apart from all the nostalgia there was the small matter of the final game in the Allianz Football League, and while both Kildare and Meath had their Division 2 credentials assured for 2024, there was still a hell of a lot at stake, none more so than ensuring participation in the All-Ireland Series come later in the Summer.

It was either that or lining out in the Tailteann Cup, great idea, great competition but one no county really wants to participate in.

Of course there is no guarantee just yet which competition Kildare or indeed Meath will line out in a few months time, unless an incredible run of results ensues in the upcoming provincial championships, Kildare one can assume will be heading for the All-Ireland series but The Royals will be sweating somewhat before they finally know their fate.

And on Sunday's performance while The Lilies got their hoped for victory, without, it has to be said, setting the place alight, Colm O'Rourke's Meath put on a display, I have to admit, was like no other Meath performance we have witnessed over a long number of years. It was dismal, lifeless, lacking in everything one expects from footballers in the green and gold of Meath.

Former Meath All-Ireland winner, National Football League winner and All-Star, Mattie Kerrigan summed it up after the game when we chatted “and you know something, there is nothing coming behind these lads; depressing, a new low” was how the former player and manager described his native county.

From a Kildare point of view, the opening half was a definite improvement but such was the feeble opposition that it is very difficult was it a case of The Lilies upping their game or the opposition simply not at the races.

Sure we will give the benefit of the doubt to the first suggestion.

Kildare did well in that opening half, they showed more intensity; showed more intent, both in defence and in attack.

Having gone in at the break five ahead, the second half was a real anti-climax.

Poor handling, poor passing, poor shot selection it was there in abundance especially for the opening ten minutes or so of the half before picking it up again late on.

So with three counties finishing under The Lilies — Meath, Clare and Limerick, all thoughts now turn to the Leinster Football Championship and a tilt with the winners of the preliminary round between Wicklow and Carlow.

Wicklow will be cock-a-hoop having pipped Laois to promotion in Division 4 on the head-to-head and a major fillip for high profile manager Oisin McConville.

Carlow, of course is managed by Kildare's Niall Carew so which ever wins it should have the makings of a more-than-decent encounter.

That preliminary game, between Wicklow and Carlow take place in Aughrim and is penciled in for April 9 with the winners taking on Kildare some two weeks later (April 23) in the semi-final to be played in O'Connor Park, Portlaoise.

Four weeks to prepare.

Four weeks to get up to real championship pitch.

A night or two off, no doubt, but then the real work will commence as Glenn Ryan and his management team commence the task of initially winning a quarter-final and then, if successful, pitting their skills against Dublin who will be bidding for their 00 provincial in a row and their 00 in 00 years.

Kildare will be attempting to make it to their third final in three years.

But as the bulldozers, the builders and the work at St Conleth's Park gets under way, the nostalgia from last Sunday can be put aside, now that there is some serious, serious championship football just around the corner.

In the meantime, keep the faith!