Victory or draw against Kildare will see footballers promoted to Division One

THERE might be some murmurings of regret over the point that Galway didn’t get against Meath earlier this month, but for all that, their promotion fate is very much in their own hands when they shape up to league leaders, Kildare, at Pearse Stadium on Sunday (2pm).

Either a win or a draw will guarantee promotion for Galway and a place against Kildare in the Division 2 league final on the following Sunday (April 9, Croke Park), but if Galway do slip up, they will then have to rely on Clare getting something from their home tie against Meath.

Galway, on nine points, are two ahead of Meath, who must win against Clare to give them a chance of getting second spot in the division. Clare though on five points could be relegated if they lose, and if both Fermanagh and Cork win, so Colm Collins’ charges will be on full steam for the Meath match.

Galway manager Kevin Walsh and his charges won’t be bothering with the permutations game as they prepare for the visit of Cian O’Neill’s Kildare to Pearse Stadium – a match that’s the first leg of a very attractive double bill with Galway and Waterford ‘following on’ at 4pm in their quarter-final hurling clash.

A crowd – expected to be in the region of 10,000 – should give the tie something of a championship atmosphere, even if Kildare have already been promoted and into the league final.

Kildare made it over the line on Sunday last against Clare in Newbridge, but only just, relying on an injury-time Paul Cribbin point to give them a 0-18 to 1-14 victory – strangely, their only defeat of the league came against bottom of the table, Derry.

Back to back relegations for Kildare have now been followed with a two-in-row of promotions – whether their pre-booked elevation to the Division 1 will impact on their motivation next Sunday remains to be seen.

What can be taken as ‘a given’ is the fact that Galway will be razor keen to win a match that would deliver a huge boost for football in the county, following on from on last year’s Connacht final success.

They will have to plan without the services of full back Declan Kyne – out with a one match ban after being sent off against Down on Sunday – while Damien Comer is still recovering from a troublesome foot injury.

Mountbellew-Moylough’s Michael Daly – who will be involved in Saturday evening’s Connacht under-21 final against Sligo in Markievicz Park – is also unlikely to start due to his under-age commitment.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.