KILDARE WON’T require any calculator or slide ruler to figure out if their long-running drive for promotion is successful come Sunday evening. Despite the many uncertainties going into the final round of the Allianz Football League, their meeting with Galway is a straight shoot-out to decide who makes the jump to Division One.
What is certain is that Tyrone are already promoted, having won all six games so far – and either Kildare (on eight points) and Galway (on seven points) will join them. A draw would thus suffice for Kildare, while Galway need to win.
The remaining five teams are all out of contention, and will fight out the relegation battle with each other.
Neither Kildare nor Galway will lack any incentive: Kildare have actually missed out on promotion for the last three seasons, having been relegated back in 2008, while Galway are looking to restore their Division One status, after being relegated last year.
Manager Kieran McGeeney has remained somewhat indifferent about Kildare’s desire to be playing Division One football, although if they miss out again, it will only add further pressure to his championship expectations.
Securing promotion also comes with the bonus match in the form of the Division Two final, against Tyrone, which doesn’t take place until April 29th – given the addition this season of the new Division One semi-finals (which only apply to that division, and take place on Sunday week, April 15th).
Sunday’s showdown was originally fixed for Tuam Stadium, but has since been switched to Pearse Stadium – although either way the home advantage could prove crucial for Galway. They also beat Kildare in the last league meeting in 2008, in Newbridge, by just a point, the same year Kildare were relegated to Division Two.
Since then Kildare have finished third (2009), equal fifth (2010) and equal fourth (2011) in Division Two, and must view Sunday as their best chance to secure promotion. It hasn’t exactly come in the most convincing style, however, as they lost their first two games – to Tyrone, and then Monaghan – before winning their last four on the trot – against Meath, Derry, Louth and Westmeath.
But even after their 17-point hammering of Westmeath last Sunday week McGeeney wasn’t getting carried away, pointing to the number of high-profile players Westmeath were missing.
However, Kildare themselves played that game without Eamonn Callaghan and Daryl Flynn, who withdrew through injury, and his team will be closer to full strength this Sunday.
At the other end of Division Two, Derry (on five points), and Meath, Monaghan, Louth and Westmeath (all on four points) will almost certainly need the calculator and slide rule to figure out their fate: Louth and Westmeath were promoted from Division Three last year but are now in real danger of dropping back down again, unless Louth can beat Meath in Navan, and Westmeath can beat Derry.
Monaghan, relegated from Division One last year, face Tyrone.
