Preview: Naas, Celbridge and JTB strong favourites in respective SFC clashes today

You have to go all the way back to May to find Castledermot’s last competitive win, and they will be going into this game against Naas as massive underdogs. They were marooned safely in mid table in Division 2 of the league, never really threatening the promotion spots but never looking like relegation candidates either. Their last win in the league was on May 25 against Rathangan, and since then they have shipped 6-11 in a defeat to Clane. Trying to garner belief that they can take down sides as established as Naas may prove tough.

Like Castledermot, Naas had a league campaign that will be filed under average. Having reached the league final last year, the County Town side would have wanted to replicate that form but they finished with five wins, five losses and a draw in Division 1. Having Eoin Doyle and Eamonn Callaghan back in the side this weekend will be a big boost for Declan McCabe’s charges, and they should prove to have a bit too much for their south Kildare opponents.

Verdict: Naas

Celbridge v Eadestown

The beaten 2017 finalists began their assault on this year’s championship with a handy win over Castledermot in the opening round, but bigger tests lie in wait for Trevor O’Sullivan’s side.

There will of course be reservations over their championship credentials following last year’s defeat to Moorefield in the final, but there are plenty of positives to take into the group stages. While they never really performed in the league, they are due an injection of some high calibre players to supplement their ranks. Paddy Brophy was beginning to really hit form towards the end of the intercounty season, while Kevin Flynn was superb in his first year in a Kildare jersey. Mick O’Grady and Fergal Conway were as consistent as ever for the Lilywhites, and Celbridge have a decent enough supporting cast to trouble any side. If they can get more from the likes of David Hughes and Brophy up front to match they solid defence they have, Celbridge have the capability to go far again this year.

Eadestown just about managed to stay in the Senior Championship last year, but they face a battle to do so once again this year. They were well beaten by Leixlip after a replay in the opening round and lost out to Ballyteague in the Division 3 league final last weekend, so it doesn’t bode well for their prospects in the group stages.

Celbridge are good at swatting aside the weaker teams, and this is likely to be the case on Saturday.

Verdict: Celbridge

Johnstownbridge v Clane

Johnstownbridge will be aiming to make waves in this year’s championship, and after reaching the semi-final of last year’s edition, they will be hoping to go one better this time round. Brian Flanagan’s side lost out in the Division 2 league final to Maynooth last weekend, but things would likely have been much different if Daniel Flynn, Paul Cribbin and Cathal McNally had all been playing.

With the return of that intercounty trio they should be confident of earning a straightforward win here.

Clane’s league performances were encouraging as they ended up coming in third in Division 2, and there is very much a sense that they are a team building for the future with a few talented minor teams breaking through in recent years. This year will probably come too soon for them however, and matching Johnstownbridge physically is a tall order for such a young team.

Verdict: Johnstownbridge