PREVIEW: Sallins through and everyone else in contention in Kildare IFC Group B tonight

The Kildare Intermediate Championship favourites, Sallins, have already qualified for the Quarter-Final stage but Round Towers (who they play in the final round), Ballyteague, and Castledermot are most certainly not. 

The final round games take place tonight Thursday, September 4 at 7:45pm with Sallins vs Round Towers in Cedral St Conleth's Park and Ballyteague clashing with Castledermot in Manguard Park, Hawkfield.

Group B has several potential outcomes with things being black and white for Castledermot who must win to try and progress from this group. If both Sallins and Casteldermot come out on top, it will be a three-way showdown on points difference between the non-qualified for the two remaining spots. In that scenario, Castledermot would have to beat Ballyteague by six to surpass their relevant points difference and by 14 points if they hope to leap Towers.

After putting on their first truly impressive performance against Castledermot, Towers may feel they can upset Sallins who are being tipped to the point of excess. If Towers and Ballyteague were to win, that pair and Sallins would be the three teams to progress with points difference dictating, although Ballyteague sit well behind the other two after 2-21 to 0-7 defeat to Sallins but would progress third. 

If Towers and Castledermot come out on top, the Kidlare Town men will progress alongside Sallins while Castledermot happily head for the Prelims.

Sallins and Towers is a litmus test for both and for very different reasons. Sallins have so much quality all over the field and they are being hailed beyond their achievements at the minute. They are stiff, resolute tests to come for them in one of the hardest Championships, especially as a team being discussed so glowingly. There is a red target on that green and white jersey.

For Towers, free hits would be overestimating things but they ignite their season with a win here. They can re-instil belief after some damaging defeats and poor showings in 2025 as one of the favoured teams. They have been written off prematurely and a win or even a ‘pushed them all the way’ defeat could get their tails up for the rest of this Championships.

Ballyteague and Castledermot are the two ‘lesser’ sides in this group but they have both shown real quality at points in this Championship season and it is a straight dogfight between the two for progression. This should be a fascinating match-up of styles and worth seeing as both navigate not necessarily being considered the weaker side in this fixture. Ballyteague took the game Towers and it paid off big time, they should target similar here with Castledermot winless in the groups. A draw suits The Larks better but I think consideration of that fact could be a slippery slope headed towards the end of their 2025.

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