Preview: Opening fixtures set for 2023 Kildare Football Championship season

The draw has been made for the opening round of the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Football Championships for 2023. The lie of the land has been made as teams can forge their path to County Championship glory via these preliminary fixtures. Here is a look at some of the tastiest fixtures from the first round draw.

Aside from your own club, Champions Naas and all who seek to dethrone them was naturally going to be where eyes would be drawn to first in the senior bracket. Naas find themselves opening their account for this year against Johnstownbridge.

The ‘Bridge and their scoring potential is as apparent as their inconsistency but they provide far from an easy path through to anyone who plays them. Naas, as with all games, head in as favourites but it's not as a cosy draw to start things off for the Champions.

In one of the most curious preliminary round match ups, last year’s semi-finalists Celbridge have drawn Raheens for their season opener. Raheens exited last year's Championship at the group stage as they faced a nightmarish group of death in 2022, losing narrowly to eventual finalists Clane in their first group game. You would favour the quality of Celbridge to come out on top in this one but it is certainly a great stylistic matchup as Raheens’ attacking flair faces the quality defensive players that Celbridge possess.

It is the new kids on the block as Ballyteague get their first taste of Senior Championship action for quite some time. Off the back of their incredible run to Intermediate Championship success, Ballyteague will start this year against Maynooth in the preliminaries.

There is nothing like new blood to spice up the fixtures in the Senior Championship and this one is no different as the newcomers face seasoned veterans Maynooth. Advantage has to lie with the established side but it is certainly one to keep an eye in this round of games.

Athy have drawn Moorefield for their preliminary round clash. An occasion you would fancy that has Athy’s names written all over it but their style will always give you a chance if you can get a foothold in the game. Athy have ground out results in the league and kept all but their most recent game with Clane very close in nature. As stated, Athy will be fancied to and should come out on top. But Moorefield could spring a surprise should they stick in the game for long enough.

A game that might go under the radar in the opening set of fixtures in the Senior Championship is Carbury v Eadestown. Eadestown were up against it in their group last year. Lumped in with Naas, Athy and Maynooth they a great account of themselves. This is a great match up as they face a chaotic Carbury side who always seem to provide some intrigue. Carbury are good for a goal and Eadestown will give their absolute all to try outwork anyone they face, this has the makings of a great game.

Clogherinkoe will face St Laurence's to kick off their 2023 season. Clogherinkoe as always are driven by the exceptional pairing of Jack Robinson and Cein McMonagle up front. The Larries can boast scoring power of their own with last year's Senior Championship top scorer in Padraig Fogarty, who finished the campaign with 2-32 to his name.

One of the picks of the bunch on paper for the Intermediate fixtures is Sallins clashing with Two Mile House. Two Mile House were patchy in 2022 but always provided some decent entertainment when they lined out last year. Sallins were electric in last year’s IFC, their young and exciting team is a year older and wiser after disappointment in the semi-final last year. They will be looking to go all the way this time around and they would be fancied to do so given their quality. This game could well be a great watch.

Full fixture lists below.

Joe Mallon Renault Senior Football Championship

Raheens v Celbridge

Confey v Clane

Carbury v Eadestown

Clogherinkoe v St. Laurences

Maynooth v Ballyteague

Sarsfields v Kilcock

Moorefield v Athy

Naas v Johnstownbridge

The Auld Shebeen Bar Athy Intermediate Football Championship

Straffan v Allenwood

Nurney v Casltedermot

Sallins v Two Mile House

Leixlip v Ellistown

Kilcullen v Rathangan

Caragh v Ballymore Eustace

Monasterevan v Round Towers

Suncroft v St. Kevins

Tom Cross Junior Football Championship

Group A

Grangenolvin

Rathcoffey

Milltown

Castlemitchell

Ardclough

Ballykelly

Group B

Rheban

Robertstown

Cappagh

Athgarvan

Kill