IT WOULDN’T have been a major stretch to envisage these counties as finalists at the start of February but after their opening league match, coincidentally also at Croke Park but as a curtain raiser to Dublin-Kerry, all the old insecurities about Kildare had resurfaced whereas Tyrone were noted as on the way back.

Mickey Harte’s side certainly went on to confirm that initial impression and are now 12 from 12 between McKenna Cup and league. Kildare lost again in their second round but since then have been unbeaten, and promotion was secured courtesy of a dying-seconds penalty against Galway.

The teams’ last encounter showcased one of the most successful redeployments of the league – that of Peter Harte from an wing forward into an expansive, playmaking centre back whose penetrative excursions earned him the man of the match citation.

Another major influence on Tyrone’s win was Kildare’s squandermania. Since then Kildare have picked up considerably and they finished the group phase as top scorers in Division Two.

But the team has been porous at the back and only one team (Louth) has conceded more goals and only one (Westmeath) more points.

Tyrone are favourites but may be happy enough with promotion whereas Kildare could really do with a) a piece of silverware and b) a ranking scalp, which their opponents still represent. That added urgency can give them the edge.

TYRONE: J Curran; A McCrory, C Gormley, PJ Quinn; C McCarron, P Harte, D McCaul; A Cassidy, C Cavanagh; R McNabb, M Donnelly, S Cavanagh; O Mulligan, N McKenna, S O’Neill. Subs: P McConnell, C Clarke, C Gervin, P Hughes, J Lafferty, J McMahon, R McMenamin, S McNally, P McNiece, S McNulty, M Murphy.

KILDARE: Tba.