Kildare v Wicklow EVERYTHING POINTS to Kildare. But. Wicklow are a championship team and this is a local derby. Three years ago then Kildare manager, Pádraig Nolan, remembers watching Wicklow, having his selectors watch them and studying videos of their matches. The side that came out in the championship was unrecognisable and Nolan says that despite a second half with wind advantage, only a lucky goal stood between his side and disaster.
Last year Mick O'Dwyer got a lot more out of the team in the summer than he had during the spring. Kildare's NFL ended in relegation after some competitive performances and some awful ones. The team will build it from the back and leave two out-and-out attackers for periods.
Wicklow will try to pick up momentum quickly and get a run on the favourites.
KILDARE: T Corley; M O'Flaherty, K O'Neill, E Bolton; A Rainbow, A McLoughlin, G White; K Brennan, D Earley; J Doyle, D Flynn, R Sweeney; M Conway, P O'Neill, A Smith.
WICKLOW: Tba.
Referee: John Bannon (Longford).
Guidelines
In the last episode: The most recent meeting bears out the difficulty of this fixture from the favourites' point of view. Three years ago Kildare were very pleased to be in front at the end after two early goals in the second half from Paul Earls and Thomas Harney had laid the groundwork for a shock. Wicklow's only success in this fixture came in 1990.
You bet: Kildare are 1 to 7 hot favourites. Draw is 10 to 1, while Wicklow are 11 to 2.
On your marks: Kildare have a solid defence and a fine, established centrefield. Their problem will be making sure that sufficient scores flow from this. Mick O'Dwyer will be familiar with the threat of John Doyle and if Wicklow manage to mute his input Kildare will need Pádraig O'Neill or Alan Smith to take up the slack.
Gaining ground: Croke Park looked resplendent during the week after its rest and the work on the surface.
Low-key opening to the championship season at headquarters with the ground likely to be just a quarter-full.
Just the ticket: (Many) tickets available on the day. Stands are priced as €25 for adults and the seated Hill will cost €15. Juveniles' (under-16) €5.
Crystal gazing: Kildare have some quality players who have been playing Division One while their opponents were labouring in Division Four.
