Preview: Time for league change of fortune for Kildare

Glenn Ryan begins his third season in charge of Kildare senior footballers this Saturday when The Lilies open their Allianz Football League (Division 2) campaign with a 'home' game against Cavan at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow, a game that throws in at 5 pm.

Glenn's opening two league campaigns have, to say the least, been disappointing.

A lot has changed even in those seasons with the League now one of the main gateways into the All-Ireland series, the now format now heading into its second year.

Back in 2022 when Glenn & Co took charge Kildare were dining at the top table along with Kerry, Mayo, Armagh, Donegal, Tyrone, Monaghan and Dublin — in other words in with the elite counties that would possibly look upon the League as the gateway to bigger things.

From a Kildare point of view two years ago the number one objective was to retain Division 1 status.

And while that league went right down the wire it was, unfortunately Kildare, along with, would you believe, Dublin, who were relegated, The Lilies losing out to Mayo in the final game with Monaghan defeating Dublin in their last game allowing them to retain their Division 1 status with The Dubs joining Kildare in Division 2 for the 2023 campaign.

It was a very frustrating year for numerous reasons for Glenn Ryan, and that despite being very unfortunate to only take a point from Kerry at St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, in their opening game.

Kildare picked up just two wins, along with that point, defeating Dublin and Monaghan finishing with a total of five points, one more than Dublin, but not enough to retain the top division status.

Last season, now operating in Division 2, The Lilies opened with a one point defeat, somewhat unfortunate again it has to be said, to Dublin; a heavy defeat by Cork followed by a one point win over Clare left the boys in white, struggling somewhat but still not without a chance of gaining promotion.

A heavy defeat by Derry really had the alarm bells ringing while a five point defeat at the hands of Louth sent Kildare firmly into the relegation region.

Travelling to take on Limerick became a crucial game, and the boys from Shortgrass got the vital win but relegation was still very much on the table when Meath visited St Conleth's Park — the last game at the venue before the re-development commenced the following day.

And Kildare delivered against as poor a Meath team that we had ever seen in Newbridge.

It all mean that Kildare retained their Division 2 status, as did Meath, with Clare and Limerick dropping to Division 3.

And so here we are again.

Division 2.

And it certainly seems like an even more competitive Division 2 than it was 12 months ago.

Just take a look at the those competing this time around:

Armagh and Donegal were both relegated from Division 1; Cavan and Fermanagh were promoted from Division 3, joining Cork, Louth, Meath and Kildare.

Four 'home' games for Kildare is a help, albeit all in Carlow, against Cavan, Armagh, Donegal and Louth while travelling to Brewester Park (Fermanagh), Pairc Tailteann (Meath) and what ever Pairc Uí Chaoimh will be called by the time that game comes up, against The Rebels of Cork.

So all in all lots to look forward to with the ever optimistic Kildare supporters confident that they will perform and hopefully gain promotion back to the Top Table once again.

Prior to Christmas Kildare played a couple of challenge games prior to competing in the O'Byrne Cup, defeating Carlow and losing out to Wexford in Wexford Park, which was very disappointing to say the least.

Manager Ryan, while admitting that he would have preferred to have another game, at least, in the O'Byrne Cup, added that it gives him and his players an opportunity “to concentrate on other things” before their opening game against Cavan on Saturday.

A lot has changed since the disappointing season of 2023.

Some experienced players have departed the scene, most deciding to go travelling; a few experienced players have returned while up to ten new players have been drafted into the squad for 2024.

There have also been some major changes in the backroom team.

Selector Dermot Earley has departed to Brussels taking up a two year stint with the Defence Forces.

Former top defender and All-Star, Brian Lacey who was on video analysis for the past two seasons, now joins the selection panel while the biggest change of all is the appointment of two new coaches.

Highly rated Colm Nally comes in as Head Coach and selector while Roli Sweeney comes in as Forwards Coach.

And the vibes coming from inside the camp certainly are very positive indeed.

Anthony Rainbow and Johnny Doyle will continue as selectors so all in all a very experienced backroom team.

One somewhat worrying aspect I suppose is that a manager and four selectors — while Roli Sweeney will not be shy giving his opinion — is a lot of heads and while pre-match that certainly does not seem a major worry, on match days that makes a lot of opinions to be taken on board when crucial, vital and, at times, quick decisions are to be made.

It will certainly be interesting to see how all that pans out. The league is so vital these days that hitting the ground running is imperative.

A win on the opening day would set things up nicely followed by an away game to Fermanagh, neither seem beyond Kildare and if four points were to be gathered from those two games it would certainly set things up for a really big league run.

Of course on the opposite side defeat, in either one, would put Kildare on to the back foot, something that Glenn Ryan will be hoping to avoid.

“We don't want to find ourselves in the same situation as we did last year” said the manager.

After disappointment league campaigns The Lilies will certainly be hoping for a change of fortune beginning this Saturday.