Kildare ready for much bigger things

Kildare 0-19 Offaly 0-6:WHEN THE team wins by 13 points, annihilating the opposition, and their manager describes it as "workman like, nothing else," it's difficult to know where to begin – or what else to say.

But those of us seated in the eagle perch are carefully trained to look out for the “turning point” – that crucial moment sometimes lost to the naked eye, or lost in the hysteria of a championship match.

And so it came, just as we were sharpening our pencils, and the two teams raced simultaneously onto the field from somewhere under the packed stand: Kildare weren’t just standing head and shoulders above Offaly, but looked a completely different breed, like beef cakes alongside rice cakes, and it was never going to be a fair game after that.

Some people might have still been fooled by what happened in the opening 10 minutes, when Offaly actually threw their weight around Kildare, and out-scored them three points to one. But unfortunately for them it was all downhill from there until end.

Offaly were not so much bullied as simply bossed, while Kildare had them both out-classed and out-played.

It mightn’t be quite as straightforward when they meet Meath in the Leinster semi-final on July 1st, although there can’t be too many teams in the country right now that would fancy playing Kildare: they are, as they say in the car business, vorsprung durch technik, the Kieran McGeeney brand of football now written all over them.

In fact this could have ended up a lot worse for Offaly. Alan Mulhall made two spectacular saves in the second half to deny Kildare a goal, and they had the crossbar to thank in the first half as well. Still, Kildare picked off points with such wonderful range and will that their strong band of supporters that helped fill O’Connor Park to near capacity went home giddy-like, dreaming again of a late, late summer.

Even Offaly manager Tom Coffey was well impressed, at least by the superior physique of Kildare, although he wondered as well how many other teams could afford to match that, either financially, or indeed the long hours in the gym.

All this must give great satisfaction to McGeeney, and although he did raise a smile and describe it as decent start, there will unquestionably be bigger challenges ahead. There is however ample evidence that Kildare are up for it.

Rob Kelly ended up partnering Pádraig O’Neill at midfield and between them they won everything, and a point each to go with it. Johnny Doyle was once again carving up the opponents’ defence like lean roast, and hit four sweet points on the run. What Mikey Conway did to get over his horrendous injuries only he knows but it’s all bearing fruit now, his game perhaps better than in ever was.

Top that off with the typically burly and purposeful play from Ollie Lyons and Emmet Bolton in defence, plus James Kavanagh and Eoghan O’Flaherty up front, and there’s no doubting Kildare are now the complete package. Lyons made three searing runs in the second half and each time split the posts, and he’ll enjoy the replays of all three.

So, Tomás O’Connor didn’t score, and didn’t get too many chances either, but he has a spring in his foot for sure, and remains a clear and present danger. Under-21 standout Pádraig Fogarty came on for the last 15 minutes, kicked a score, and is definitely a worthy option.

Oh, and Dermot Earley came on for the last 10 minutes, too – looking as monstrously fit as ever. He probably got the biggest cheer of the afternoon, although at least half of it was directed towards Johnny Doyle, the player he replaced.

Overall then a quite formidable strength and depth, the only real blip being that nervous start. Offaly had to throw everything at Kildare early on, and they did – Anton Sullivan and Ken Casey stealing the advantage in those opening 10 minutes.

Cut to the chase: Offaly didn’t score again for the rest of first half, or the next 29 minutes in total – while Kildare racked up eight points without replay, with Conway’s place-kicking helping settle nerves.

By the end of the first Offaly were visibly in retreat, and with nothing left to lose, Coffey called in star forward Niall McNamee, even though he’s only on the comeback from a groin injury. It didn’t matter, because even a fully fit McNamee would have struggled to turn anything Offaly’s way.

Conway and then O’Neill forced the two big saves from Mulhall in the second half, and against stronger opposition those sort of missed opportunities might have come back to haunt Kildare. But no such worries here, as they pulled up early, comfortable and secure in the knowledge that the turning point had been that moment the two teams raced onto the field.

KILDARE: 1 S Connolly; 4 P Kelly, 8 M Foley, 3 H McGrillen; 6 M O’Flaherty, 7 O Lyons (0-3), 5 E Bolton; 17 R Kelly (0-1), 9 P O’Neill (0-1); 10 J Doyle (0-4), 23 E Doyle, 15 M Conway (0-5, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45); 13 J Kavanagh (0-1), 14 T O’Connor, 11 E O’Flaherty (0-2). Subs: 12 A Smith (0-1) for E Doyle (41 mins), 21 D Flynn for Kelly (55 mins), 22 P Fogarty (0-1) for Kavanagh (56 mins), 26 D Earley for J Doyle (59 mins), 19 T O’Neill for O’Flaherty (61 mins). Yellow cards: R Kelly (8 mins).

OFFALY: 1 A Mulhall; 2 S Sullivan, 3 J Moloney, 4 S Pender; 7 E Rigney, 6 M Brazil, 5 B Darby; 8 A McNamee (0-1), 10 R Brady; 22 D Kelly, 15 A Sullivan (0-1), 13 K Casey (0-4, 0-1 free); 12 N Smith, 14 G Guilfoyle, 9 R Dalton. Subs: 27 N McNamee for Kelly (34 mins), 28 P Cunningham for Guilfoyle (45 mins), 23 D Hanlon for Moloney (57 mins), 18 N Dunne for Casey (65 mins), 19 L Hiney for Rigney (69 mins). Yellow cards: Brady (8 mins), A McNamee (22 mins), Smith (37 mins).

Referee: P O’Sullivan (Kerry).