Former Kildare All-Star and Limerick coach expects a high-scoring affair in Tailteann decider

FORMER Kildare All-Star and Limerick football coach Brian Lacey expects Limerick to have their work cut out for them when the Shannonsiders take on Kildare in Saturday afternoon's Tailteann Cup decider at GAA HQ.

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Lacey in no stranger to either county taking part in this year's decider. The Tipperary native won an All-Star at corner-back for the Lilywhites in 1998 having also been involved as a coach for both counties since his retirement and the two-time Leinster Championship winner is expecting a high-scoring affair in this year's decider. 

“I'm expecting a high-scoring game given the players involved and considering how both teams have been playing, both Limerick and Kildare have some serious forward power so I'd be expecting a high-scoring affair but the weather will obviously have an impact on that as well,” he said.

In terms of Limerick's chances in the final, Lacey feels that Jimmy Lee's men must be at the top of their game if they are to get over the line on Saturday.

“Limerick have a right good chance at this but it's going to be difficult because Kildare are coming into this as a Division Two/Three team,” he said.

“They having beaten the likes of Offaly and Fermanagh in their last two games. It's going to be a step up for Limerick, but not beyond them that they could take Kildare,” he added.

Lacey also underlines the importance of the Tailteann Cup, stating that the 'Treaty County' have benefitted massively from the competition.

"It's a great competition, it does build momentum and Limerick look like they are on an upward trajectory, winning the Division Four league title and winning the Tailteann Cup would be an unbelievable boost to the county.

"I know what it's like in counties where football wouldn't be as popular as hurling, having been involved with the Limerick footballers previously and being a Tipperary man, the two counties would be similar in a football sense, you are the second class citizens but there's serious work going on behind the scenes in Limerick football," he said.

Having been involved with the 'Lilywhites' as both a player and a manager, Lacey highlights the lack of Croke Park experience for this current Kildare side, something that might work in Limerick's favour.

"I was involved with Brian Flanagan in 2022 in the Kildare 20s set-up and interestingly a lot of those u20s never played in Croke Park in their runs to the final in both 2022 and 2023 because none of the 20s games are played in Croke Park."

"Kildare haven't really played in Croke Park at senior level the last few years so it's not like they have tonnes of experience. Limerick actually have a decent record in Croke Park and in league finals," he said. 

Speaking on Limerick's firepower, Lacey was full of praise for a forward line that has been in fine form this season.

“They have four or five great forwards in Neville, Naughton, Nash and Fahy, they can all chip in with scores, but it's the midfield battle that I feel will be crucial,” he said.

The fact that Kildare are under so much pressure to win can be seen as both a positive and a negative according to the former corner-back.

"There's no doubt that there's pressure on Kildare, they lost the division three title to Offaly, which they were expected to win, so there's pressure on them."

"They need to start winning in Croke Park and on paper and expectation and given that some of these lads have division one experience, it's time for them to deliver and win a national title," he said. 

“There's massive pressure on Kildare to win, but I do think it's a step too far this year for Limerick, but with the brilliant management team that they've assembled they are certainly headed in the right direction. However I do think Kildare could win this in the end,” Lacey concluded.