Comment: Kildare conquer Sligo, Leitrim next up... and Cecilia's new novel

Ben Bulbin was looking as splendid as ever as we descended on Yeats Country last weekend, described in the brochures as a place that has breathtaking mountain scenery, lakes, waterfalls and beautiful beaches.

Home of Constance Georgine Markievicz also known as Countess Markievicz and Madame Markievicz — an Irish politician, revolutionary, nationalist, suffragist.

A woman before her time.

Wonder what the same lady would think of the goings on of today I say to myself.

But enough of that.

We are in Sligo for something much more important, there are p(o)ints to be had, and gained.

There is the prospect of back-to-back league wins for The Lilies.

The Kildare fans were to be seen everywhere.

They came from all corners of the county.

From Athy, led by Joe Kelly, Ray Hyland and Marty McEvoy.

John Noone of St Kevin's fame, a man who rarely misses, home or away, was spotted keeping a close eye on the rugby.

He was not alone.

Ballyteague folk were there as were folks from Kilcullen (Ronnie in charge), Naas, Clane, Straffan, Newbridge (top and bottom), not forgetting Raheens, Celbridge.

The list is endless.

Tom Cross had a full load.

You could go on.

We spotted Pat Spillane, keeping tabs on the young lad as he lined out for his adopted county.

Hear Pat wasn't impressed with what he saw; not sure if that was from Kildare or Sligo.

Not that it matters a whit.

Pat is one of those lads who believes that football has declined since he threw away the boots.

We bumped into one Cecelia Ahern, well-know novelist and of course daughter of you know who.

No sign of Bertie though.

Probably up in Donegal shouting on his favourites against Jimmy McGuinness' lads.

Not sure if Ms Aherne was in Sligo for the game but she shared a hotel with the Kildare players on Saturday night.

She was not alone.

The boys arrived in on Saturday afternoon, did what footballers do, talk, chat, plan, analyse, take in a video, whatever.

Anything to relax.

A game of cards, no shortage of laughter as they try and put in the hours before the 'leaba'.

Life for the modern day county footballer, hurler, camogie or lady footballers is not all a bed of roses.

A night, before big games must be the most trying of all.

Especially with lots of fans around, them enjoying a night, or two, or three, away, up for the craic, the banter and so on.

Donegal Ladies arrive in on a stop-over on Sunday morning as they were heading down to play Westmeath, a bit of early lunch and off they went in search of glory.

Meanwhile the boys in white, looking well in their non-playing gear, had an early breakfast before heading for a walk on the beach if you don't mind.

Another way to while away time.

Finally off they went.

Markievicz Park in search of two points.

Fans were beginning to gather.

Some were looking the worst for wear it has to be said as they had been celebrating a big win for the boys in green over the auld enemy.

Kildare, of course, were well represented on that team with former Suncroft minor Sam Prendergast leading the charge.

But no more about that oval ball game.

There were two points to be won, two points to be gathered.

Remember the last time we were here?

We escaped with a draw that day and, if the truth be told were happy to get the point.

But now it's time to look forward.

What's gone is gone.

Yes we are in a division we don't want to be in but a win in Sligo would help us along the way to escape from the near-bottom-of-

the-barrell that is Division 3.

A decent start.

A few early points.

Back level before kicking on.

Four points on the trot and we are four clear.

Still, Billy Dunne was not happy as he could be heard shouting, and not for the first time, “linesman do your job.”

The bauld Billy had spotted only two Sligo boys back in their own half.

Jim says there must be three.

Sligo got it back to be within one by the break.

The Lilies pulled clear again only to be pulled back to one again.

Not another draw I whisper to myself.

But The Lilies come again.

The Darragh Lad coming up with the goods. Again.

Two points in the bag.

Lovely spot Sligo.

No sign of Cecelia as we exited.

Still it could be the start of a new novel.

'The day I met The Lilies ... in February.'

Don't forget where you heard it first!

Next up Lovely Leitrim.

No Larry Cunningham.

And no John McGahern.

But sure you never know who we might bump into.

But the main thing.

Whisper it.

Two more points in the bag.

Now for the hat-trick!