Kildare GAA: St Conleth's Park, the history, the transformation and Newbridge Or Nowhere

And so we have reached the final round of the 2023 Allianz Football League, Division 2; Derry already promoted with Dublin hot favs to join them if they defeat Louth in Croke on Sunday.

Nearer the other end of the table Kildare take on Meath and while both teams are guaranteed Division 2 status for 2024 neither are guaranteed participation in the All-Ireland series this year.

Yet.

A win for either on Sunday should be enough to make the cut of 16 for the All-Ireland series, albeit seeded 14, 15 or 16, but for the loser it will be squeaky bump time as they must wait to see who makes it through to the four provincial finals before knowing for sure who will be in that group and who will be confined to the Tailteann Cup.

The Tailteann Cup, competition that came into being in 2022, welcomed by one and all but at the same time a competition that no county, if the truth be told, would opt to play in if given the chance.

However Sunday is even a more momentous day for Kildare GAA folk as it is the final game before the bulldozers arrive and the commencement of redevelopment St Conleth's Park begins, work that will transform it into a 12,000 capacity stadium with 3,000 seats, fully floodlit, extended pitch area and all the conveniences that go with a modern day stadium.

A dream long in the making but now finally about to become a reality.

Hopefully.

St Conleth's Park was originally part of the British Army Barracks.

In 1928 Kildare Co. Board met the Board Of Works seeking part of the area as a GAA ground; up to that point Kildare played their home games in McGuinness' Field, the grounds of Newbridge College, and at Naas Racecourse.

After negotiations that lasted some three years, a 20-year lease was agreed for a rent of some £20 per month.

In 1931 GAA Secretary Padraig Ó Caoimh officially opened St Conleth's Park after a new agreement had been signed.

Dog racing came along in 1948 on the perimeter of the pitch, and continued, amid much rancour, until 1968.

1984 saw Kildare Co. Council build the new entrance, including turnstiles while they (Co. Council) took charge of the adjoining car park.

St Conleth's Park has seen some great games down the years; it was a venue for many Leinster Club Championships finals along with Leinster Championship games.

But there is little doubt that a game held in 2018 will probably go down as the most famous of them all.

2018 was a tough year for Kildare; relegated from Division 1 of the Allianz Football League and dumped out of the Leinster Championship by Carlow.

And so on to The Qualifiers where Kildare disposed of Derry and Longford before drawing Mayo in Round 3, and being the first out of the 'hat' were entitled to a home venue.

Croke Park, however, did not agree, insisting the game be moved to Croke Park.

And so one almighty row developed, practically overnight.

Cian O'Neill Kildare manager at that time was interviewed on RTÉ flagship news programme (Six One) where he coined the phrase 'Newbridge Or Nowhere.'

With the backing of the players - the Co Board had little choice but to support the stance - the entire county of Kildare backed O'Neill and if the truth be know the entire country backed Kildare as the row made headlines on TV, local and national newspapers as The Lilies went toe-to-toe with The Big Wigs, in a real David v Goliath scenario.

Those in authority remained steadfast the game had to be played at Headquarters but manager O'Neill said “Mayo can go to Croke Park but we (Kildare) will be in St Conleth's Park that day.”

And so a stand-off ensued.

Eventually, and after much rancour, many meetings, much mediation and indeed much threatening by the powers that be, Croke Park relented and the game was fixed for St Conleth's Park on Saturday June 30, 2018, a late Saturday throw-in due to the fact that Irish Derby was taking place just up the road at the Curragh the same day.

The game was a ticket-only affair (before ticket only became the norm), and was a sell-out.

The TV cameras were in situ to record the game and on a beautiful sunny day the crowds gathered in Newbridge early on; the atmosphere on the streets was electric as the crowds gathered early.

And to cap it all, Kildare caused a major upset when they defeated Mayo on a score line of 0-21 to 0-19.

The scenes after the game were reminiscent of a team after winning the All-Ireland with the pitch invaded by young, and many not so young, Kildare fans.

Sunday though is all about Kildare and Meath.

Two counties that have had some brilliant ding-dong battles down the years, probably the most famous of them all being the three game saga in the Leinster SFC semi-final back in 1997; a game The Royals eventually won by two points (only to be beaten by Offaly in the Leinster final).

Both Kildare and Meath are struggling of late; both have missed out on promotion but both retain their Division 2 status.

All that will mean nothing when the two teams run out on the turf of St Conleth's at 2 pm on Sunday for the very last time.

There has always been great rivalry between The Royals and The Lilies.

And hopefully this one will be no different.

After Sunday, hopefully, when these sides meet again at this same venue we will see a full house; 15,000 fans; 3,000 seated; possibly on a Saturday evening under lights.

Now there is something to look forward to!