Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney has reaffirmed his commitment to his adopted county — and that will be disappointing news for the thousands of Armagh fans anxious to see their iconic 2002 All Ireland winning captain appointed to succeed Peter McDonnell.

McGeeney’s declaration that he will only leave Kildare “if the county board don’t want me any more” came after the Lily Whites had eventually managed to bring the curtain down on Wicklow’s charismatic surge through the qualifiers that had seen Mick O’Dwyer’s brave battlers claim the scalps of Fermanagh, Cavan and Down.

“I have a job to do here and I am totally focussed on bringing Kildare further than the All Ireland quarter-finals,” said McGeeney pointedly.

The Lily Whites, with Dermot Earley majestic at midfield, held too many aces for the Garden County who nonetheless created the astonishing statistic of playing four high-octane championship matches in a four-week period without making a single substitution.

Yet they still managed to give Kildare a rare fright and but for the agility of goalkeeper Tom Corley, who made at least five absolutely crucial saves, the outcome might have been different.

As it was, Seanie Furlong’s early industry at full-forward saw him chalk up 1-3 for Wicklow before Kildare settled and hit five unanswered points within a six-minute spell to lead by 0-11 to 1-4 at the break. Wicklow, though, tenacious to the last, responded superbly, Tony Hannon drilling in their second goal in the 47th minute to help his side get back on level terms (0-13 to 2-7).

Kildare though, with Earley covering every blade of grass and substitute Eamon Callaghan having a pronounced effect, finished strongly with Alan Smith palming in their only goal after excellent work by substitute Robert Kelly.

“We knew that we had to step to the mark against Wicklow as they have been gaining in confidence and poise but we will need to attain a higher level,” McGeeney said.

Meanwhile, Meath, well served by David Bray (1-2), Peter Byrne (1-1) and Cian Ward (0-4, all frees) overcame Roscommon in their deferred third round qualifier by 2-11 to 0-10 to set up a meeting with Limerick next weekend.

Kildare scorers: J Doyle (0-5, 0-4 frees), A Smith (1-1), D Earley (0-3), E Callaghan (0-2), M O’Flaherty, R Kelly, P O’Neill, B Flanagan, J Kavanagh (0-1 each).

Wicklow scorers: S Furlong (1-4), T Hannon (1-0), D Odlum (0-2), C Hayden, J Stafford, P Earls (0-1each).

Referee: Martin Duffy (Sligo).