Opportunity for Kildare to get League hopes up and running this weekend

Clare and Kildare clash in Cusack Park, Ennis, on Sunday (throw-in 3.45) in Round 3 of the AFL Division 2.

Back in 2021 the sides clashed at St Conleth's Park when the visitors came out on top 1-13 to 0-13.

That was the season the division was divided into north and south due to covid and while The Banner won that day it was Kildare who topped the group, on scoring difference, Cork and Laois were the two other counties in the division.

Kildare went on to defeat Meath in the semi-final — 1-14 to 0-14 — while Clare lost to Mayo 2-18 to 2-22. Kildare and Mayo were promoted to Division 1 for 2022.

There was no final played in 2021 as Mayo were due to commence their Connacht SFC championship campaign the following week.

The Division 2 title was shared between The Lilies and Banner.

Back in 2020 Kildare and Clare operated in Division 2; they met in February, the last game prior to lockdown when Clare, playing in Ennis, prevailed by a single point, 0-11 to 0-10 on a dirty, wet miserable day at Cusack Park. It was a result that Jack O'Connor, then Kildare manager, said cost The Lilies promotion.

So no shortage of clashes in recent times with The Banner holding the upper hand.

And so to Sunday.

A big Kildare contingent expected, despite the lost last time out to Cork, but this one was penciled in early on as the 'away' weekend by many Kildare supporters.

Clare have one win under their collective belt, they defeated Louth in a close encounter on the opening day of this season's league.

The final score line that day was Clare 1-13 Louth 0-9.

Las time out The Banner lost out to The Royals, conceding four goals in the process, yet they did raise no less than sixteen white flags — 4-8 to 0-16.

Kildare, for those who need reminding, lost their two opening games in the this season's competition. By a single point to Dublin in Croke Park, somewhat unluckily it has to be said — 1-11 to 0-13 — before crashing to a rampant Cork in Round 2 at St Conleth's Park — a game described by many as one of the worst performances by The Lilies for many a long year, losing out 2-14 to 0-7, having scored just two points in that opening half, and the first of those not arriving until the 28 minutes of the game.

And so what about Sunday, a game penciled to throw-in at 3.45, not ideal for Kildare travelling fans but so be it.

How will The Lilies react to that bad beating at the hands of Cork.

Who knows.

Glenn Ryan and his management team have certainly put their panel through the ringer since last Sunday week. Some extended training sessions; video analysis; tactical discussions; you name it they have had it all.

It will indeed be interesting to see how they will line out come Sunday.

Will it be decided to start the same side again?

Unlikely.

Will there be just one or two changes?

Hard to say.Or will there be wholesale changes with anything up to six, at a minimum, for this vital clash?

Wouldn't rule it out.

Will Kevin Feely, brilliant to have him back on the field so soon after that injury last summer, be asked to start?

That would be a big call indeed.

While Kevin needs as much football as possible, it would be a major gamble to start him from the word go.

Alex Beirne will be ruled out due to suspension so the options are limited.

Will Eoin Doyle make a return to the match day panel?

The Naas man has not been seen togged out yet but is training away at full tile.

Daniel Flynn, a second half substitute against Cork will probably come into the equation for this one but again the Johnstownbridge man is very short of match (competitive) practice. The same applies to Ben McCormack who will probably get a starting shirt.

Others who are pushing for starting places include Jack Sargent, Barry Coffey, Cein McMonagle, Mark Glynn, to name just a few.

We probably won't know the starting line-up until close to throw-in but who ever is handed starting shirts, and who ever is asked to come in from the bench, this is another huge game for Glenn Ryan and Kildare.

And with Derry the visitors to Newbridge the following week, we need say no more.

A loss here could be near fatal while a win would certainly give the side a much needed boost as we reach the half way stage in a week's time.

This was always going to be a tricky division, having lost two from two makes it even more trickier and that's for sure.