Frustrating Kildare need to develop sense of identity

We can see knockout football looming on the horizon, albeit not quite yet.

We'll lose three more teams from the championship this weekend, and there's some sorting out to be done as regards who goes straight through to the quarter-finals and who has to navigate a preliminary quarter-final.

But in reality, it's not enough yet to properly hook the public. The air of listlessness remains pervasive and the crowds have been fairly underwhelming.

Clare are already gone and the great likelihood is that Louth and Westmeath will be joining them unless either of them can orchestrate a massive shock this weekend. (For Louth to go through, it really would have to be a seismic shock).

Sligo are probably doomed, in my view. They're already trailing Kildare in the score difference stakes and Dublin will probably be seeking to rack up a big tally in the hopes of ensuring top spot in the group and the direct route to the last eight.

The championship structure has been talked about endlessly but I feel the lack of jeopardy resulting from the preliminary quarter-final safety net has contributed to the laboured and lethargic play we've witnessed up until now.

It's the other Group 3 game in Tullamore that could potentially - and I stress the word 'potentially' - throw up one of the interesting contests of the final round.

Davy Burke's consistent and well-drilled Roscommon side are coming up one of the most enigmatic and frustrating teams in inter-county football.

We simply don't know what in God's name Kildare are going to bring.

They're often abysmally bad but it's also entirely possible they could pull a rabbit out of the hat and actually take down Roscommon.

Based on form alone, the notion sounds daft. But glancing at the raw talent and potential