Five things we learned after the Preliminary Round of this year's Kildare IFC

Here are five things that we learned after the Preliminary Round of the National Electrical Wholesalers Kildare Intermediate Championship 2025.

• Group D is a relegation dogfight with Monasterevan looking favourites

The battle at the bottom is of course of great interest to all concerned and Group D looks the most likely source of the two losers groups. Suncroft, Nurney, and Monasterevan have all been discussed among the candidates to go down and their match-ups against one another could decide it all (with Leixlip also in that group). Despite whoever finishes bottom of that pile being most likely to exit the IFC, someone from the other loser’s group will join them in the dreaded drop decider and anything can happen on the day.

Monasterevan looked weakest of the teams that played this weekend and perhaps understandably so having been heavily depleted since their 2024 campaign.

Group C holds Kilcullen, St Laurence’s, St Kevin’s, and Two Mile House. In theory, The Rags and The House, who face each other on August 24, is the crucial match-up to decide the drop with both Larries and Kevin’s likely too robust to suffer that fate.

Suncroft vs Nurney on August 16 will be one to watch with interest where this debate is concerned.

• Rathangan (and Leixlip) impress

The fixture of the weekend was unsurprisingly Rathangan and Leixlip with the standout tie on paper panning out that way on the field too. Rathangan emerged with an impressive 4-13 to 3-14 win in a cracking contest.

The likes of Sam Savage, Austin Donegan, and Rian Teahan were all on song and this group has seemingly built on their solid Championship run in 2024. Their ability to register an impressive scoreline against tough opposition like Leixlip bodes well for their Group A prospects where they will face Milltown, Ellistown and Straffan.

Leixlip came up short in this fixture but showed a decent amount of the quality that got them to the decider in 2024. They will face Nurney, Suncroft, and Monasterevan in Group D and will undoubtedly be targeting three wins.

• Castledermot’s Dan Grey puts the IFC on notice

The 2022 and 2023 IFC finalists weren’t high on too many contenders lists this year after narrowly avoiding relegation from Division 2, but they put in a steady and at times truly impressive showing against Suncroft in a 2-19 to 1-15 win. 

Alongside 0-9 from set-piece specialist Gavin Keating, their chief threat was full-forward Dan Grey who was electric in their Prelim clash with The Croft. The forward recently returned from abroad and looks set to be a huge asset to their IFC hopes with 2-3 scored in their opening fixture.

Grey is lightning quick and took his chances superbly. With a forward like him, a robust defence, and reliable free-taker, Castledermot could kick themselves into the hunt for silverware once again. They match up with Sallins, Ballyteague, and Round Towers in group B.

• Big scores for Sallins and Milltown but stiffer challenges lie ahead

Sallins and Milltown are two top contenders and two impressive teams that will take beating in this year’s Championship. Both got off to a good start with convincing but expected wins against Nurney and Monasterevan respectively. It was difficult to get a sense of the true mettle of both sides but they have already  shown plenty this year to convince the watching public of their ability.

Sallins have been IFC contenders for several years now and have come up short at various stages, but this competition is no cake walk and they will be raring to attack it once again. Their outings in Group B against Round Towers, Castledermot, and Ballyteague will tell us far more about what their true credentials are.

Milltown on the other hand remain a team on the rise with their ascension through the divisions well-documented. They made light work of Monasterevan in the Preliminary Round and narrowly lost to Leixlip at the semi-final stage last year. They will be targeting a minimum of a top two finish in Group A alongside Rathangan, Ellistown and Straffan and are an exciting outfit to watch. Their clash with Rathangan on August 24 will be indicative of where both teams are headed and also well worth seeing.

• Junior champs Ellistown already safe and looking good

The Junior champions are safe and their first mission is accomplished after an 0-18 to 2-10 win over last year’s SFC relegated side St Laurences. It was all about the Donnelly’s and their capitalisation on the new rules with Harry knocking over four two-point frees in their Preliminary Round clash. Their impressive display lands them in Group A alongside Milltown, Straffan, and Rathangan. It is a tough group as a winner’s group ought to be and Ellistown will be targeting the Straffan fixture in particular to get points on the board and book a spot in the knockouts.

Their other fixtures against two of this year’s top contenders won’t scare them one bit after what they proved to both themselves and everyone else in the Prelims. Ellistown are also a good team to watch and all three of their match-ups will be well worth the price of admission.

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