It has been an impressive year for Sligo football, but the next few weeks are likely to be an enormous challenge for the only Division 4 team still left in the Sam Maguire race.
Tony McEntee's men showed early promise this year in securing Croke Park silverware and a spot in the third tier of league football for 2024.
That was backed up by keeping their end of the bargain in the weaker side of the Connacht draw before Galway showed the difference in class in the provincial decider.
That run ensured Sam Maguire football and a home tie first up in a group that contains Kildare, Dublin and Roscommon.
The Lilywhites make the journey to Markievicz Park on Sunday, the counties renewing rivalries after the recent Under-20 All-Ireland final that saw the Yeats County fall short in an eight-point defeat.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, former Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice believes Kildare have turned a corner after an "indifferent league", and is hopeful that Sligo can compete in what is a significant step-up in class.
"It’s an opportunity for Sligo, 100%, and it’s great that they are there," he said.
"In fairness to Tony McEntee, he was very open after that Connacht final, that their target is to win one game in this group and prolong their season, but I would worry for them to be honest.
"They have a lot of good players, and a lot of good players coming through from that Under-20 team as well, but it’s a different level at this stage.
"Coming from Division 4, trying to beat teams that are so far ahead of you in the league rankings, it’s a big ask."
Fitzmaurice is hopeful that the group stages, where 24 matches will be played to eliminate four teams, doesn’t see the likes of Sligo (Division 4) and Westmeath (Division 3) ship some heavy defeats.
"What I would hope for for the counties that are possibly boxing above their weight a little bit in this competition, is that they don’t get three hammerings and a lot of good work earlier in the season is undone."
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