Comment: A bit of a reality check for Kildare!

There were just under 1,800 in attendance at Cusack Park, Ennis (soon to be renamed in a sponsorship deal as Zimmer Biomet Phairc Chíosóg) with the majority of those in attendance supporting the visitors.

In fact every where one looked on both Saturday evening (we are told) and Sunday morning it was the distinctive new Club Kildare jacket that stood out.

Have to say the jacket looks really well, that despite the distinctive Kildare GAA logo looking like some sort of a poor imitation of the real thing which really is a pity, to say the very least.

By all accounts there was hardly a vacant bed to be had on Saturday night, but looking at some of the fans who headed to

Clare the day before the game, time spent in the leaba was short, not by all mind you but certainly by some, but they probably made up for that by staying again on Sunday night.

A great little country despite everything.

Bumped into a few lads heading west in Athy on Saturday afternoon as they kept an eye on their favourites who were in action against Confey in the Aldridge Cup.

The game, played on the magnificent new pitch at the Athy headquarters, certainly looked the business, a full Croke Park size job, along with a small pitch for the youngsters, and it will certainly be a huge addition to the GAA fraternity in the town.

Not sure if it is Athy GAA policy not to unfold an orange flag but there was no such item on display at the game, it matter little as referee Henry Barrett let everyone in attendance know anytime a two-pointer was registered.

Met some of those lads again on Sunday morning, led by Marty McEvoy along with John and Michael Cummins, George Lammon and Jonathan Perry; all looking decent I have to say, no doubt got their full quota of sleep.

Asked if they had located any spare orange flags they could bring back with them, the replay was not something we could put into print mind you.

And so on to the game.

To say it was a disappointment would be a bit of an understatement you have to say.

Maybe we, yes we, were all getting a bit carried away.

Four wins from four. One of only two counties undefeated. One of the best aggregate scores in all four leagues. Promotion, not achieved, but certainly on the horizon.

Kildare received a bit of a reality check with Sunday's set-back.

Now it is all to play for once again with just two rounds remaining.

Wonder if the players mindset suggested a win was more or less guaranteed?

Maybe, maybe not.

But anyone who knows anything about Clare football, and especially playing in Cusack Park, knows Clare are more than a decent side at home.

And they proved that again on Sunday.

Despite Kildare's four wins up to now, one of the slight worries aired by many was the lack of goals, something that was more or less dismissed by those in authority.

On Sunday last I think it is fair to say that Kildare made more goal chances in the opening 35 minutes or so than they did in the entire four games heretofore.

But still no green flag was raised, for Kildare that is.

Certainly Eamon Tubridy, the Clare keeper, made one excellent save in the opening half, but the rest of the efforts were poor in the extreme; in on goal firing over; failing to even find the target on more than one occasion, funbling, taking wrong options on a fair few occasions.

Maybe players were aware of their lack of goals and were intent on improving matters but there were times when a punch over could have proved more beneficial that attempting to disturb the green flat resting at the side of the post.

Then again, if one of those efforts had found the net, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that a few more may have followed.

But for now Division 3 is wide open although Clare have a game in hand which will be played this weekend when all others waiting until the following weekend for Round 6.

One other worry from Sunday's game was the amount of ball that Kildare failed to win around the middle of the field.

Even in the second half, when they had an excellent run at their opponents, few, if any, clean possessions were won; it is something one feels that needs a bit of attention, while the change made at the break caused a bit of head scratching among the Kildare followers.

Regardless, midfield continues to be a bit of a headache even in the games won heretofore.

The new rules are certainly changing midfield play; clean catches are not seen too often these days, breaking a ball in the middle is ok but only if a ball is being knocked down to one of your own. There is still room for a high fielder and that should not be forgotten.

However, overall the new rules have been a god send to Gaelic football, regardless of what some of the big name managers say. Remember those boys have a different agenda than the rest of us, most of them anyway.

There is a bigger picture out there and while some tweaks are inevitable (and probably) needed, overall it has been so positive, especially for the fans.

Still, early days yet.

A big game in two weeks time.

Offaly the opponents.

The Faithful boys will be ready and waiting.

Let's hope The Lilies will be too!

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