Comment: A week of mixed emotions and results in Kildare
Well that was one hell of a week what with Kildare booking a place in the All-Ireland U20 semi-final with that fine win over Dublin; the minors booking a place in the Leinster Minor semi-final; add in the Punchestown Festival and then finishing it all off with the Leinster semi-final against Dublin on Sunday.
It is actually bordering on madness the current GAA fixture calendar. Hopefully, but I wouldn't be holding my breath, something will change for next season; it can't possible carry on in that fashion.
We traveled to Headquarters on Sunday somewhat worried, concerned and to be honest, lacking in confidence. The scars of the Leinster final of 2022 were reopened during the week as we looked back on that day and conceding five goals before the half-time break.
So what could we expect?
Well if the layers were anything to go on, and they got most but not all calls right during the week out in Punchestown, then we were travelling with more hope than confidence.
The Dubs, going for their umpteenth Leinster title were the hottest of favourties at 1/33 with The Lilies given very generous, but understandable odds of 12/1.
On top of that there were two other games we had to keep a focus on throughout the afternoon.
With Kildare hanging on to the final spot for the 16-county All-Ireland Series a victory for Offalyor Down would have shoved us down to The Tailteann Cup.
Disaster or what.
And to keep the tension going on and on the Offaly v Louth semi-final went to extra time; both sides looking at different times they might book a place in the Leinster Final.
In the end it was Micky Harte's side that prevailed against an Offaly side that certainly gave it their very best shot, they (Offaly) now head to The Tailteann Cup.
The second game that required attention was due to get under way the same times as the Kildare v Dublin game, 4 pm but with the first game in Croker requiring extra time, we had the opportunity to keep a closer eye on that one more than we expected.
In the end Geezer's boys did the business with a comfortable win over Down, ensuring Kildare would play in the All-Ireland Series.
The draw for that four group, four games in each group is due to be made today (Tuesday May 2) around lunch time when we will know exactly where we stand.
And so to the Dublin game.
Well what can one say.
The boys in white may not have made it to the Leinster final and against all the odds at that but they certainly gave it their all.
Not just gave it their all, they had The Dubs under the cosh for long periods and after taking the lead through a Darragh
Kirwan point after aminute; led by two at the break; four ahead in 41 minutes and were still level with their illustrious opponents on 63 minutes before two late Dublin points got them over the line.
It was indeed heartbreaking but now they can build on that in the upcoming series.
Despite being placed in Group 4 which is in effect seed four, looking at what we witnessed on Sunday there are few sides who will be hoping to draw Kildare and remember three teams out of each group advance, so a real chance.
With no new injuries picked up and a few of the walking wounded well on the mend, Kildare might have a full squad to choose from, a rarity if that is the way it pans out.
On a different note one has to ask what road exactly is the GAA going down. We hear more and more these days about games being shown on GAAGO.
However, when these games were being shown last season and prior to that on Sky there was uproar as they, Sky, just like GAAGO are a pay to view channel.
The silence emanating from certain folk, previously ardent opponents of Sky, but for some reason not a word about GAAGO, is nauseating.
In short it is not good enough to have GAA games on a pay to view channel let it be Sky or GAAGO.