Kildare implode within sight of their goal

NFL DIVISION TWO:Meath 1-12 Kildare 2-9

THIS WASN’T how Kildare’s hard-fought chase for promotion was supposed to end. Losing a three-point lead late on to allow Meath steal a draw; losing two men to straight red cards; and ultimately losing out to Monaghan and Cork.

Ouch! In terms of what mattered for Kildare on the day, it qualifies as total meltdown. They’ll have time to mull over it before their championship date with Offaly in seven weeks’ time, and Kieran McGeeney may just about have cooled off by then too.

Because in the immediate aftermath of this McGeeney was barely containing his fury. The cause was probably a combination of factors, but mostly it was McGeeney’s disbelief at the sight of first Dermot Earley, and then Ronan Sweeney, both being sent off inside the last two minutes.

“I’ll take a deep breath before I start this . . . ” began the Kildare manager. “First I have to say that we do have to take responsibility for our own discipline. I was very disappointed that we lost it, having worked so hard on our discipline. But I can understand why some of them would have lost their discipline out there. Understanding why doesn’t make it right. It’s very hard though, because I’m not allowed to comment . . .

“If I talk, someone will have a big smile in Croke Park, give me four or six weeks, and be delighted to do so. But I wouldn’t have enough grasp of the English language to explain what I would think of that out there.”

Earley’s dismissal was at least partly down to pure frustration. The spring sunshine and firm playing surface raised the intensity of the game, although these two teams usually bring out the best in each other anyway. Scoring was at a premium, though not always down to solid defending, but when the fat was in the fire Kildare seemed most able to handle to heat.

They went three points clear on 62 minutes, midfielder Robert Kelly following up a nice point from substitute Mick Foley. But Meath weren’t cooked yet; Nigel Crawford epitomised their fighting spirit with a point, and then Cian Ward sent a 45-metre sailing over the bar – with a minute of normal time remaining.

Suddenly Kildare were in trouble. Cool heads were lost – and Earley got far too close and personal with Crawford. Referee Joe McQuillan showed him a straight red. The resulting free, almost 60 metres out, was brilliantly put over the bar by Ward to level it up. Now Kildare were in crisis. When play resumed, Sweeney appeared to strike a Meath player – and with that he saw a straight red as well.

“It was very, very frustrating to watch,” added McGeeney. “It’s beyond me why they’re coming up with new rules, when they won’t enforce the old ones. . . It’s impossible to make heads or tails of it.”

Kildare’s dominance in the first half was impressive. Michael Conway flicked home a goal after just a minute and they set the pace throughout, but still hit an inexcusable nine wides. Meath responded well, starting with an opportune goal from Jamie Queeney after two minutes, but were lucky to be still in the game at half-time – which ended 1-3 apiece.

Kildare’s second goal on 43 minutes was gifted to Sweeney but gave them the edge they deserved – and may well have finished with – had their discipline not collapsed, just like their promotion quest.

“This was our last competitive game before the championship,” said Meath manager Eamonn O’Brien, “so we had to use it as such. But I’m pleased we stayed with them in the second half.”

MEATH:P O'Rourke; C McGill, K Reilly, E Harrington; S Kenny, A Moyles, C McGuinness; M Ward, N Crawford (0-2); S McAnarney, C Ward (0-5, four frees, one 45), B Meade; S Bray (0-2), J Queeney (1-0), B Farrell (0-3). Subs: S McKeigue for Meade (53 mins), J Sheridan for Farrell (56 mins), C O'Connor for S Kenny (60 mins, yellow), Sheridan for M Ward (65 mins), P Byrne for McGuinness (67 mins).

KILDARE:T Corley; M O'Flaherty, D Brennan, H McGrillen; M Scanlon, B Flanagan, M Conway (1-0); R Kelly (0-1), D Earley; A Smith (0-1), P O'Neill, J Doyle (0-4, three frees); R Sweeney (1-0), K Donnelly (0-2), E Callaghan. Subs: M Foley (0-1) for Callaghan, E O'Flaherty for O'Neill (68 mins). Red cards: D Earley (70 mins); R Sweeney (72 mins).

Referee:Joe McQuillan (Cavan).