Kildare & District Football League prepare to kick off their 29th Season with the first round of fixtures
scheduled to take place weekending 2 nd April with all divisions junior divisions in action. The Over 35
divisions will kick off weekending 16 th April, shortly followed by the women’s division weekending
Monday 24 th April.
The well attended Annual General Meeting took place last Thursday evening in the Keadeen Hotel
where there was a review of activities from 2022. Now work begins in earnest for 2023, while it is
accepted there is a generally fall off in teams sports on a worldwide scale the League are holding
their own with a loss of one team across all sections of the game.
The new look Senior Division now has ten teams with the introduction of Arlington FC and
Newbridge Hotspurs following their promotion from the premier league last season they are sure to
be a great addition to the top flight. Clonmullion FC will look to emulate their historic achievements
of last season when they picked up the Senior League, Cup and League Cup.
There has been a complete reshuffle of the premier division following the demise of some teams
however the League welcome newcomers Gracefield FC, they will be joined by Old Fort Celtic and
Newbridge United (Promoted from Div 1) and Kildare Town AFC following relegation from the senior,
it’s an all new look Premier.
Division 1 new team Naas United FC will be joined by Clane Utd and Suncroft (Relegated from the
premier) and Newly promoted Clonmullion FC’s second string together with the existing Div 1 teams
St. Anthony’s Youths, Castle Villa AFC and Newbridge Hotspurs making up the remainder of the
division, no doubt some great football to be played here.
Division 2 of the League has also seen somewhat of a reshuffle, 3 teams disbanded and the addition
of two new teams together with Arlington FC’s second string and Coill Dubh AFC seconds who were
relegated from 1 will be joined by existing teams Caragh Celtic FC, Old Fort Celtic, Moone Celtic and
Kildare Town AFC all taking part.
The over section has seen the largest increase with the introduction of three new teams, Liffeybank
FC from Confey in Leixlip, the return of Naas AFC and Longwood FC from Meath all joining the
current teams.
The womens section will include one new entry Derry Rovers FC from Edenderry.
The League will continue to promote coaching and education in 2023 with the roll out of some very
interesting courses including Sports Specific First Aid, FAI Amateur Licence and FAI Referees
beginners courses just some to mention. Also the League are committed to both mens and womens
Inter League competition with both representative teams out very shortly in action. The men will be
competing in the inaugural Leinster Football Association Inter League Trophy where they will be
joined by such leagues as the Wexford, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Carlow, Leinster Senior League, United
Churches League, Athletic Union League, The Dundalk League. Also our womens Inter League side
are currently preparing for the Group 2 FAI Angela Hearst Womens Inter League tilt at the Tipperary
League in the first round at the end of April.
It will be full systems go from weekending the 2 nd April, the programme spanning 8 months
culminating in the Awards ceremony which will take place in the Keadeen hotel on the 24 th
November. Best wishes to all clubs involved.
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