Kildare looking to avoid an embarrassing Tailteann Cup opener stumble
Daragh Nolan looks ahead to Kildare's opening Tailteann Cup game against Longford in Manguard Park, Hawkfield this Saturday at 6pm
Kildare meet Longford on Saturday, May 11 at 6pm in Manguard Park, Hawkfield in the opening round of the Tailteann Cup.
After his side’s defeat to Louth, Glenn Ryan informed the media that he expects full retention of his squad ahead of the
Tailteann Cup, whether that will play out as the Towers man is hoping for remains to be seen. It will also be familiar opposition for Ryan, who managed Kildare's opening day opponents for five years.
Longford finished fourth in Division 4 and managed four wins en-route to doing so. Certainly more than Kildare managed in the league, but Paddy Christie's side did exit the Leinster Championship in the opening round to Meath.
However, the side that came up short against the Royals put 3-12 on the board and if they can register 21 points against The Lilies, they would have a damn good shot of winning the game as they face a side who's shooting has been nothing short of dismal lately.
While they won’t be expected to win, facing a Kildare side looking shot of confidence and coherence will no doubt be an enticing prospect as Longford look to take a massive scalp.
Despite being low on confidence, morale and a lot more, a loss here would still be embarrassing for Kildare.
Ultimately, I think even this current Kildare set-up, that seems devoid of any certainty in what they are going to do, will get over the line on the opening day. For all the snobbery surrounding the second-tier competition, this is a great opportunity to win a few matches after coming out on top in just one so far this year.
Glenn Ryan and Kildare have gone from Division 1 to Division 3 and moved out of the Sam Maguire during his time in charge. Ryan’s managerial tenure hasn't gone to plan to say the least, but nobody could deny the man in charge’s love of his county.
They now find themselves in a competition which hadn’t even been won by anyone yet when Ryan took over. But now is no time for elitism and for the sake of pride for all involved and a place in next year’s Sam Maguire, Kildare should be looking to take this seriously and win the lot.