PREVIEW: 'Kildare have to step up' for trip to Cork this weekend

Five down and just two games remaining in the 2026 Allianz Football League Division 2, and it does not make pretty reading from a Kildare perspective at least.

Kildare lie in sixth place on the table with just three points, one point ahead of Cavan who have two and three ahead of Offaly who have yet to register a point.

Of vital importance at this stage is who plays who, at both ends of the table, and the remaining fixtures for Round 6 and 7 are as follows:
Round 6: Louth v Derry; Cork v Kildare; Meath Tyrone; Offaly v Cavan.
Round 7: Derry v Cavan; Kildare v Louth; Offaly v Meath; Tyrone v Cork.

So looking at those fixtures, and while Kildare are in a precarious spot, their destination remains firmly in their own hands.
So on Saturday the journey takes us to Cork, and more particularly, Pairc Uí Rinn, the former Flower Lodge soccer ground bought by the Cork Co. Board in 1989. The Board purchased the Ballintemple site from the Ancient Order of Hibernians after negotiations with Cork City FC fell through. It was subsequently redeveloped into the Gaelic games venue and renamed Páirc Uí Rinn.

Despite poor results, particularly in the last few rounds, nevertheless a big crowd can be expected to head south what is for many the 'over night' game of the league. Many are travelling on Friday, in time for Gold Cup Day at Cheltenham, most on Saturday, with a stay-over, while we have even heard of a few who plan setting off on Thursday, we'll say no more about that.

Cork had been flying high up to Round 4, unbeaten they took all the points available with wins over Cavan, Louth, Offaly and Meath, sitting pretty top of the table before taking on Derry, away, the weekend before last.

And what a result Derry got there, not only did they defeat Cork, but they defeated them by no less than 20 points (1-31 to 0-14), an amazing score line by any stretch of the imagination and one that will focus the minds of the boys in red for Saturday's clash with Brian Flanagan's side.

The following day after that Derry defeat, the Cork squad headed to Portugal for a week's training in the sun (maybe that is what was on their minds when playing Derry) but they will undoubtedly come back well-relaxed, well-tanned and well-prepared for their two final league games.

That 20-point advantage certainly has helped the Derry scoring aggregate that sees them with a whopping +46; Meath lie in second with an aggregate of +18 with Cork -7, all on eight points, so a lot to play for there.

Kildare, are on three points, as stated, with a scoring aggregate of -11; while Cavan (2 points) are -22 with Offaly (no points) and an aggregate of a staggering -51.

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Kildare have to step up, and step up big time if they are to get anything from this game. Since they held Tyrone to a draw, defeated Offaly and despite leading Derry by four points at half-time, went down by three points (3-15 to 1-18).

Two goals conceded inside a minute of that second half against Derry has really knocked the stuffing out of The Lilies, in fact it is fair to say they have never really recovered from that, losing out to Cavan, no world beaters by any standards, and then to a strong Meath side two weeks ago in Newbridge.

Kevin Feely picked up a hamstring strain against Derry, did not play against Cavan but came on at half-time against Meath, the team captain did make a difference, for a while at least, but could not stop the Meath tide.

It seems like we are repeating ourselves here but it is the action in the middle third of the pitch that is Kildare's biggest worry; gaining little primary possession and even less of the breaking ball, that is the area of play that Brian Flanagan and his management team must concentrate on as they prepare for this vital game.

One feels even if they can break even around that area, get more ball to the front six, they can show that their scoring rate which has dropped alarmly over the last two games (a total of 23 points) can be improved on immeasurably.

Alex Beirne was back from suspension for that Meath game but the Naas man was forced off at half-time with a shoulder injury, an injury that will see him miss out on Saturday, a major blow without a doubt.

Colm Dalton got his first outing of the league against Meath, that will surely bring him on, match-fitness wise; while Ben McCormack was also back on the bench for that game, his first appearance of 2026 also, whether the Sarsfields man would be fit enough to get any time on the pitch on Saturday we will have to wait and see but as we have said previously it is one thing being injury-free, a totally different proposition to be match fit at this level of football.
We live in hope.

It will certainly be interesting to hear the team announcement when it comes for Saturday; then again the last couple of games has seen changes from the team announcement from the side that actually lines out on the day, it is something that has crept into many teams and while one couldn't call them dummy sides, one can be sceptical when the team is announced initially.

So all roads lead to Cork, regardless of what day one is travelling, but this is one vital game for The Lilies, a point would be acceptable, a win would certainly ease the growing worries.
Here's hoping!

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The last time Kildare and Cork met in the league was back in 2024, in Pairc Uí Chaoimh, when The Rebels triumphed 2-15 to 3-9, a result that helped Kildare drop own to Division 3, along with Fermanagh.

Kildare led that day in 2024 at half-time — 2-3 to 1-5 — the goals coming from Alex Beirne and Daniel Flynn; Cork looked in big trouble but a goal just before half-time from Tommy Walsh, was vital for them.

The home side then took control and led 2-12 to 2-5 on some 55 minutes and while Kevin Feely converted a penalty it was Cork who prevailed, somewhat comfortably, on a score line 2-15 to 3-9.

Ironically just two players that started that day played for Kildare against Meath last week, and including those who came on just five got game time against Meath, that is some turn-around by any standards.

Kildare scorers v Cork in 2024 were Kevin Feely 1-6 (pen, 3 frees), Daniel Flynn 1-1, Alex Beirne 1-0, Niall Kelly 0-2 (1f).
2024 Kildare v Cork: Mark Donnellan; Ryan Burke, Mick O’Grady, Ryan Houlihan; Jack Sargent, Eoin Doyle, Paddy McDermott; Aaron Masterson, Kevin O’Callaghan; Luke Killian, Alex Beirne, Shane Farrell; Kevin Feely, Daniel Flynn, Niall Kelly. Subs: Brendan Gibbons for Masterson (42), Callum Bolton for Killian (45), Shea Ryan for Doyle (49), Sam McCormack for Beirne (52), Brian Byrne for Sargent (67).