Comment: Another crucial game for Kildare as The Geezer comes to town

The boss is back on Sunday as Glenn Ryan takes up the reins as he returns after completing a two match ban, picked up following remarks he made concerning the match day official after Kildare crashed out of the All-Ireland series following a one point defeat at the hands of Monaghan in June of last year.

While Glenn has been involved with The Lilies since they resumed training back in November he has been 'out of bounds' from match day involvement for the Cavan and Fermanagh defeats in Netwatch Carlow Park and Brewester Park, Fermanagh.

So for the first time in 2024 the Towers man returns at the helm and hopefully brings a change of luck, a change of fortune and an opportunity to pick up a point or two in Round 3 of the Allianz Football League, Division 2, at Kildare's temporary 'home' venue in Carlow.

No doubt it has been painful for Glenn, along with his management team, not to mention the fans and supporters, over the last two disappointing displays.

And to say the natives are getting somewhat restless is probably a bit of an understatement and that's for sure.
Shockingly poor against Cavan in the opener; no much better in the first half against Fermanagh and while there were some signs of a little improvement in the second period of that game, you could say that is merely clutching at straws as there was never at any stage one felt Kildare could get anything out of their trip up north.

On the injury front there is good and not so good news from the camp. Daniel Flynn, Niall Kelly and Tony Archbold all played a part in an in-house game last weekend but it is understood that Jimmy Hyland may be out for some weeks. The unfortunate Ballyteague man we hear has picked up a hamstring injury.

Our auld friend Kieran McGeeney, still a big favourite with many Kildare fans, has been in charge of his native county since he departed Kildare back in 2013.

Now in his tenth year but just like when he was with Kildare, has come close but with no cigar and last season having reached the Ulster decider lost out — after a penalty shoot-out — to Derry and then repeated that painful experience bowing out of the All-Ireland Series — again on a penalty shoot-out to Monaghan.

Still The Geezer remains a firm favourite with his players, particularly the older lads who have played under him for some time.
Rory Grugan, a firm favourite with Armagh fans, admitted that the decision to retain McGeeney for a tenth year made up his (Grugan) mind to remain for another year; adding that had now entered the “one-year rolling contract” phase of his inter-county career.

Grugan showed in the last game two weeks ago when Armagh gave Meath a bit of hiding — winning 2-16 to 0-10 — that he still has a lot to offer scoring two points from play.

That win over Meath made it back-to-back victories having defeated Louth, albeit by the minimum of margins, in their opening game of the league but it sees The Orchard County sitting pretty at the top of the table, on score difference over Donegal.
So that is what is facing Kildare come Sunday, throw-in 3.45.

And while The Geezer still admits to this day he has a soft spot for The Lilies; in an interview with this writer during covid, admitted that he would never rule out, some day, a return to Kildare where he spent seven great years.

But for now this is all about points. All about getting something out of the game for Kildare as they, along with Cork, are propping up the Division 2 table.

There is a lot of disappointment in Kildare having lost their two opening games, and the fact that it was against the two promoted teams from Division 3 last term only adds to that pain.

However maybe Cavan, in particular, and Fermanagh are not the soft touches many expected them to be and it will certainly be interesting to see how those two counties progress as the league unfolds.

But for The Lilies this is another vital game, but as coach/ selector Anthony Rainbow reminded us after the Cavan game “every game is this division is a vital game.”

Kildare had been roaring hot favourites to win their opening games, something that never sits comfortably with The Lilies, well they won't have to worry about this weekend.

Armagh are no less than 4/9 to win on Sunday with Kildare at the generous odds of 4/1 — the spread being four points.
So hopefully Kildare can turn those odds on their head and get their season finally up and running.

Expect nothing easy from Armagh though, two wins from two, top of the table and with huge and justifiable hopes of gaining promotion.

Kildare are a better team, and have better players than what we have seen to date this season; a few players back a boost, no doubt, but they just have to show more intensity; more physicality, better defensively and more direct attacking flair, if they are to gain anything out of this one.

Here's hoping.

As ever.