Kildare eager to lock horns with old rivals Dublin

In the parallel universe of the O’Byrne Cup, Kildare rule the world.

Jason Ryan’s team are bidding for a three-in-a-row when they play Dublin in tomorrow’s final in Newbridge, which would be a fourth in five years and extend the county’s lead at the top of the roll of honour.

As their dominion has grown in the Leinster pre-season tournament, Kildare's fortunes have, if anything, waned in the real world.

Gradually, championship destinations have receded from consistent All-Ireland quarter-finals and a long-awaited promotion to Division One two years ago lasted just one season.

Now retired, Dermot Earley was the last of the Kildare team to reach the 1998 All-Ireland still playing for the county and with two All Stars, the most decorated of the county's footballers in recent years.

He says there are reasons why the county has started recent seasons so positively.

"I think there has been a number of factors why Kildare have done so well in the past. There was a transition period there from 2011 when Donegal beat us in All-Ireland quarter-final.

“Sometimes when you have a transition there’s huge enthusiasm at the start of the year whereas for more seasoned teams – teams that are a couple of years down the line – the O’Byrne Cup isn’t a priority.

The championship

“The priority for them is first of all the league, which is just around the corner and then of course the championship.

“Kildare have had young lads coming in keen to nail down a place because the team’s in transition and both Kieran (McGeeney) and Jason (Ryan) have given opportunities to do that.

“Those players are mad keen and there’s also been fellas coming back because Kildare have had a lot of injuries and they’ve had places the year before so they’re enthusiastic and all of this creates competition. It’s not like having established players who often don’t need to play in these tournaments.

“Right from the get-go there’s competition. Also the goal for Kildare has to be a Leinster but realistically that’s down the line so for the moment the immediate goal is to rebuild a winning mentality and create confidence.

“The hope would be that after a couple of years you will have a seasoned panel and the experience and confidence to kick on and win a Leinster.”

Tomorrow Dublin arrive in Newbridge with nine of the last 10 Leinster championships on the mantelpiece and two of the last four All-Irelands.

Although not at full rev, the visitors will bring atmosphere and a worthwhile pre-season challenge.

“The other big positive here,” says Earley, “is that Kildare play Dublin a week before they play Down at home in Newbridge as well. The team put out will more than likely be the team that plays the following week. This is a great preparation. Dublin have a lot of quality and will be taking a look at their under-21s and other up-and-coming players. They’ll also be bringing back a couple of players because they want to be hitting the ground running come the league.”

After winning last year's final in Newbridge against Meath, manager Jason Ryan said it would be great to go into their first match of the Division One campaign on the high of having won the O'Byrne Cup.

Inexplicably lost

A week later Kildare pipped Mayo in that opening match and in the next home fixture inexplicably lost in injury-time after, in Mickey Harte’s words, playing Tyrone off the pitch.

This weekend they're getting ready for a Division Two season. Paddy Brophy and Seán Hurley are now in Australia in the AFL but Daniel Flynn has journeyed in the other direction. Ask Dermot Earley where it's all heading and he's positive but cagey. "I'd be optimistic in the long run but as for this year, ask me after the league!"