Kildare: A look ahead as the KDFL season of 2023 is about to unfold
Kildare & District Football League prepare to kick off their 29th season with the first round of fixtures scheduled to take place weekending April 2, with all divisions junior divisions in action.
The Over 35 divisions will kick off weekending April 16, shortly followed by the women’s division on weekending Monday April 24.
The well attended Annual General Meeting took place last week in Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, where there was a review of activities from 2022.
Now work begins in earnest for 2023, while it is accepted there is a generally fall off in teams sports on a worldwide scale the League are holding their own with a loss of one team across all sections of the game.
The new look Senior Division now has ten teams with the introduction of Arlington FC and Newbridge Hotspurs following their promotion from the premier league last season and they are sure to be a great addition to the top flight.
Clonmullion FC will look to emulate their historic achievements of last season when they picked up the Senior League, Cup and League Cup.
There has been a complete reshuffle of the Premier Division following the demise of some teams, however the League welcome newcomers Gracefield FC, they will be joined by Old Fort Celtic and Newbridge United (Promoted from Div 1) and Kildare Town AFC following relegation from the senior, it’s an all new look Premier.
Division 1 new team Naas United FC will be joined by Clane Utd and Suncroft (Relegated from the premier) and newly promoted Clonmullion FC’s second string together with the existing Div 1 teams of St. Anthony’s Youths, Castle Villa AFC and Newbridge Hotspurs making up the remainder of the division, no doubt some great football to be played here.
Division 2 of the League has also seen somewhat of a reshuffle, 3 teams disbanded and the addition of two new teams together with Arlington FC’s second string and Coill Dubh AFC seconds who were relegated from 1 will be joined by existing teams Caragh Celtic FC, Old Fort Celtic, Moone Celtic and Kildare Town AFC all taking part.
The over section has seen the largest increase with the introduction of three new teams, Liffeybank FC from Confey in Leixlip, the return of Naas AFC and Longwood FC from Meath all joining the current teams.
The womens section will include one new entry Derry Rovers FC from Edenderry.
The League will continue to promote coaching and education in 2023 with the roll out of some very interesting courses including Sports Specific First Aid, FAI Amateur Licence and FAI Referees beginners courses just some to mention.
Also the League are committed to both men's and women's Inter League competition with both representative teams out very shortly in action.
The men will be competing in the inaugural Leinster Football Association Inter League Trophy where they will be joined by such leagues as the Wexford, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Carlow, Leinster Senior League, United Churches League, Athletic Union League, The Dundalk League.
Also Whe women's Inter League side are currently preparing for the Group 2 FAI Angela Hearst Womens Inter League tilt at the Tipperary League in the first round at the end of April.
It will be full systems go from weekending April 2, the programme spanning 8 months culminating in the Awards ceremony which will take place in the Keadeen Hotel on November 24.
Best wishes to all clubs involved.
A full list of Division structures below.
SENIOR DIVISION (10)
Clonmullion FC
Rathangan AFC
Clane United FC
Suncroft AFC
Coill Dubh AFC
Naas United FC
Bllycane Celtic FC
Clongorey FC
Arlington FC
Newbridge Hotspurs FC.
PREMIER DIVISION (7 – 3 ROUNDS)
Straffan AFC
Caragh Celtic FC
Monasterevin AFC
Old Fort Celtic FC
Newbridge United FC
Kildare Town AFC
Gracefield FC.
DIVISION 1 (8)
Moone Celtic FC
St Anthony’s Youths FC
Castle Villa AFC
Newbridge Hotspurs FC
Naas United FC.
DIVISION 2 ( 7-8) rounds to be confirmed
Newbridge Rovers FC
Rathangan AFC ?
MASTERS DIVISION 1 (8)
Newbridge Town FC
Maynooth Town AFC A
Celbridge Town FC
Leixlip United FC
Naas AFC
Liffey Bank FC
Staffan AFC.
MASTERS DIVISION 2
(7 – 3 rounds – To be confirmed)
Maynooth Town (B)
Enfield Celtic FC
Kilcock Celtic FC
Longwood FC
Rathangan AFC.
WOMENS DIVISION (9)
Sallins Celtic FC
Edenderry Town AFC
Kilcullen AFC
Allenwood Celtic FC
Derry Rovers FC