Football

Kildare hope to break Leinster's losing run

Kildare captain Eoin Doyle looks likely to miss their All-Ireland qualifier with Armagh because of a broken thumb. Picture by Colm O'Reilly
Kildare captain Eoin Doyle looks likely to miss their All-Ireland qualifier with Armagh because of a broken thumb. Picture by Colm O'Reilly Kildare captain Eoin Doyle looks likely to miss their All-Ireland qualifier with Armagh because of a broken thumb. Picture by Colm O'Reilly

KILDARE, under Kieran McGeeney, were the last Leinster team to lose the provincial final and recover to win their round four qualifier when they beat Wicklow in 2009.

Since then Wexford, Meath (three times) and Westmeath (twice) have all failed to psychologically recover from beatings by Dublin, while Louth also lost their next outing– ironically against Dublin - after the controversial loss to Meath seven years ago.

McGeeney will now go up against the Lilywhites for the first time as Armagh boss on Saturday week, but he will meet an opponent that is arguably buoyed rather than broken by their Leinster final display.

While Dublin were too strong, it was the first time in Jim Gavin’s reign that they failed to achieve a double-digit margin in the province, and the 1-17 Kildare scored was the most the Dubs have ever conceded in a Leinster final.

Kildare boss Cian O’Neill hopes that the combination of a weekend off and the respectability they achieved on Sunday should leave them in sound mind to face the Orchard.

“It’ll be tough,” he admitted of lifting the troops but added: “We didn’t come here to play a defensive game, we came here to give it a go.

“We were very certain about that once we won the semi-final, we all agreed that we’re going to really go at this. We invested a lot of time, effort, sacrifice into this so there’ll be a lot of hurt in the dressing room for sure.

“They need some time now, some space to let some steam off, because God they’ve deserved it and earned it. We’ll get back to work this week and give it a good go for Armagh.

“It’ll be a mighty test. Sometimes that’s just tough after a defeat but sometimes it can be the scar of a horrific defeat by Dublin.

“I don’t think we’ll have that scar today, but we’ll certainly have the scar of disappointment. We’ll see how we can build ourselves back up again.”

He looks set, however, to be without two key players for the Croke Park clash, which will form part of a double-header with the second summer instalment of Monaghan-Down.

Although he was edged out for man of the match by Con O’Callaghan, Kildare midfield Kevin Feely gave probably the best exhibition of fielding that Croke Park will see this year.

But a 63rd minute black card was his third of the year after having been shown ones in their League games with Clare and Cork. That means a one-match ban, although Kildare are expected to appeal.

On the influence of the former professional soccer player, who had spells at Charlton Athletic and AFC Wimbledon among others before returning home last year, O’Neill was effusive.

“He’s been a revelation for us this year. Last year was his first year back and he picked up a couple of knocks so never got the free run he’s had this year.

“He was a massive loss in that semi-final [last year] against Westmeath. You can see the difference when he’s on the pitch, not just from kickouts, he’s an all-rounder.

“He can defend, he can shoot, he can lead, he’s a great communicator. He did that today.

“I can only presume very unfortunate with the black card because he isn’t sure what it was for. When he goes off the pitch, you’re losing a big, big player.

“Not that it would have changed the result, it’s just unfortunate because he was having such a great game.”

They also look set to be without captain Eoin Doyle, who yesterday morning underwent surgery on the broken thumb through which he played on Sunday.

“Eoin broke his thumb last week and it’s just the measure of the man, there was no way he wasn’t going to be playing today. He felt he could get through.

“He played as much as he could in the game and put in a real stellar performance considering.

“It’s most likely he won’t be available in two weeks’ time, but we’ll see.”

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All-Ireland SFC round 4B draw

Saturday 29 July, Croke Park

Down v Monaghan (5pm)

Armagh v Kildare (7pm)