No need for any Kildare 'giddiness' despite three wins from three

It doesn't happen too often, in football, or most sports as far as that goes, but there were times during Sunday's Allianz Football League clash against Leitrim, especially in the first half, that one wanted the home side to actually score.

There is little pleasure in watching a senior inter-county team struggle in the way that Leitrim did last week.

Kildare dominated in practically every position of the field, especially in the first half, as the home side, struggled and struggled before getting their opening score, a point, in the 27 minute, Kildare at that time had amassed no less than 1-12.

And the goal, scored by man-of-the-match Alex Beirne, simply emphasised how far Leitrim were (are) out of touch.

After the ball was brought forward following a 3x3 infringement, a tap over 20m free for the Naas man was on the cards, but when he saw just two players — yes just two — on the goal line he simply said 'I'll take a piece of that' and duly blasted the ball to the back of the net.

It emphasised the difference between the sides; one was totally clued in, the other was all at sea.

Arriving at Sean O'Heslin's GAA ground in Ballinamore, for the first time ever, it was like turning back the clock in time.

And I mean that in the best possible way.

A lovely country ground, a pitch that was somewhat heavy but for the time of year, in excellent condition.

From car parking attendans, folk manning the turn stiles, officials inside, all just couldn't do enough for Kildare fans who probably had 60-70 per cent of the attendance that numbered just under 1,000.

It is rarely the visiting team gets a bigger welcome on to the pitch than the home side but that is exactly what happened on Sunday.

It is also rare that a team at this level, or most levels as far as that goes, are quoted by the layers at 1/100 to win with a spread of all of fifteen points, but that is where The Lilies were, and the spread was covered before the half-time break.

The layers are rarely too far off!

And for once, the burden of being hot favs had no effect on the display of Brian Flanagan's side, and that despite the absence of top scorer Darragh Kirwan, midfielder Callum Bolton who has been shooting the lights out with his recent performances, along with Niall Kelly and James McGrath.

But as we have often heard when one player is out, through injury or whatever, it is an opportunity for another to show what he is capable of doing when given the opportunity.

And in fairness the players who got their chance, collectively and individually took it with both hands sending out notice that they are not there simply there to keep the bench warm.

To a man, they showed they are more than capable of coming in and performing and, no doubt, that will give manager Flanagan and his backroom team of Aidan O'Rourke, Damien Hendy and Daryl Flynn plenty to think about, and much to ponder, as they sit down to select their side for Saturday night's clash with the noisy neighbours — Laois.

The blue and white clad boys from just over the border have been doing well for MLA, Justin McNulty with two wins from two games and they will need little incentive to take the scalp of their 'friends' from across the border.

Of course Kildare will not lack incentive themselves having lost to the same opposition in the Tailteann Cup in that disastrous season of 2024.

Three wins from three outings has (some) Kildare fans getting a little giddy. Something no one wants to see at this stage.

Yes three wins is exactly what one hoped for but it should be pointed out that the three wins have been against two teams that have lost all three games, and the other against a team that has just one win from three!

Kildare have to yet to play Offaly, unbeaten in three games; Laois who have won two of their three opening league games, Clare in a similar position while Antrim have just one win to their credit.

So while it is certainly a great position that The Lilies find themselves in, manager Flanagan and his backroom team are in no doubt that the tough games are all ahead of them in this league, starting on Saturday evening when a near full house is to be expected at Cedral St Conleth's as Laois will feel they are in prime position to halt The Lilies winning streak, after recording a fine win over Sligo on Sunday last in Portlaoise.

Busy, busy weekend on the way. The hurlers travel to Owenbeg (also Saturday) to take on Down in Round 3 of the AHL Division 2; the Ladies return to action after a break of a week and are on the road also as they take on Meath in the Lidl National League Division 1 while the camogie girls open their Division 3A account with an away fixture also against Laois.

Bring it on!