Kildare footballers get back on track

THE Kildare senior football championship resumes this weekend after almost three months of inactivity.

The county footballers made their exit from the All-Ireland championship in the second round of qualifiers, but the county board chose not to get the club championship under way again due to the continuing participation of the hurlers in the Christy Ring Cup and the “builders’ holidays”.

Only one round of three group games has been played to date and there will be two more rounds before the quarter-final pairings can be sorted out.

There have been many rumblings of discontent among the clubs that they are now being asked to enter an intensive programme of fixtures, having opened the competition so long ago.

The final round of group games and quarter-finals are scheduled for the next fortnight.

A week has been allowed between quarters and semis, and semis and the final (scheduled for September 17) to allow for replays.

The county board will be hoping that there are no hitches or play-offs required as there is very little margin for error, with the Leinster club championship looming.