GLEN RYAN wasn't due to take the penalty kick which effectively killed off Laois in yesterday's Leinster Championship game at Croke Park; that particular duty was to be carried out by Martin Lynch.

But the Kildare captain "I had never ever taken a penalty in a match before," he insisted afterwards was called on to perform the task simply because the selectors had observed him practising with goalkeeper Christy Byrne after training sessions.

"I'd only be messing with Christy, nothing serious," said Ryan, who was handed the job in Lynch's absence. The Clane man had been given his marching orders almost an hour earlier. Still, Ryan showed no signs of nerves and a great deal of panache in scoring the goal which copperfastened Kildare's win against all the odds.

"I think this answers a few of our critics," said Ryan. "A lot of people said there was no heart in Kildare football. This win proves we have plenty of heart. The onus was on everyone to give everything after the two lads were sent off and we all did.

"There was no point dwelling on it when Martin (Lynch) and Johnny (McDonald) were gone. We had trained hard for nine months for this match and we were really up for it. I think we have showed what we are capable of doing," he said.

There was a sense of euphoria in the Kildare dressingroom afterwards, and manager Mick O'Dwyer remarked: It was a marvellous display.

Everyone gave 110 per cent commitment, total commitment.

"When the two (Martin Lynch and Johnny McDonald) were going off, I turned around and muttered something like `we're in for a hiding here' to someone, I really thought we were in trouble. It was a great display, really. But the next match will tell another tale about where we stand," said O'Dwyer.