Kildare GAA General Discussion Thread

qwerty93 · 21-03-2013 12:27pm

While I agree that McGeeney and co have done an outstanding job so far this year I think it might be for the best not to have the likes of Kelly, Flynn and Brophy playing full games for the rest of the league. Our aim at the start of the year was to attain Div 1 status and we have achieved that,and I felt that the guys that played against Mayo looked understandably tired in the second half last night.There is great potential for success with this U21 team and I feel it would be a great shame if God Forbid one of the lads were injured against Down and they missed out on an All-Ireland final if we get that far.

roy rodgers · 21-03-2013 1:47pm

Total agree the younger lads have not else to prove at this moment and should be rested up and the likes of darl fylnn, lynch, callaghan, maybe early smithy should be giving match time now with two games to go to see if they will make the cut come the summer time.

Hesh's Umpire · 21-03-2013 1:56pm

roy rodgers wrote: »

Some woeful ballad from the Laois kickouts.

We had airfield sown up tonight!

Are you the guy from the Rowntrees Randoms advert?

roy rodgers · 21-03-2013 2:05pm

Hesh's Umpire wrote: »

Are you the guy from the Rowntrees Randoms advert?

Haha combination of fat fingers and a cracked screen will do that.

klairondavis · 21-03-2013 2:18pm

roy rodgers wrote: »

Total agree the younger lads have not else to prove at this moment and should be rested up and the likes of darl fylnn, lynch, callaghan, maybe early smithy should be giving match time now with two games to go to see if they will make the cut come the summer time.

I think we will see some of these lads on Sunday and against Down. I think we might see the two Johnstownbridge men - Cribbin and Hurley seeing some action for the seniors too.

Kelly and Flynn in particular have played a lot of football recently.

Lemlin · 21-03-2013 4:22pm

klairondavis wrote: »

I think we will see some of these lads on Sunday and against Down. I think we might see the two Johnstownbridge men - Cribbin and Hurley seeing some action for the seniors too.

Kelly and Flynn in particular have played a lot of football recently.

Cavan U21s don't play with the seniors once the U21 championship starts.

It left us a bit short of strength in depth the last two weekends but we've had fantastic success at U21 since we started it.

2 Ulster titles, an All Ireland final appearance and an Ulster final appearance since 2010 when this system was started by the present senior manager Terry Hyland.

Mr. Wong · 21-03-2013 7:53pm

We are playing Tyrone Sunday, not Down. Unless guys are carrying knocks I don't agree that they should be rested, there's no amount of training that will replace competitive matches. These guys are well used to playing 2 games a week as a lot of them have done with their clubs, county and colleges. I'd like to see a few more of these U21s called into the senior panel, Fergal Conway and Séan Hurley imparticularly.

I see the Kildare CB have made a u-turn on their decision to charge OAPS and children full price for stand tickets for Sunday. Shame on them for even trying to pull a fast one.

klairondavis · 21-03-2013 8:48pm

Conway is already on the senior panel.

There's a balance needed now between trying out the younger players and getting some much needed games into guys who have been out injured - Lynch, Leper, Smithy, Daryl. It's probably an opportune time to get a rest into Niall Kelly and Daniel Flynn and get some more football into the other lads.

A point is enough in the last two games to see us into a semi final. Another game in Croke Park and an opportunity to have a go at winning the league would be nice but I don't think it is a priority.

Syferus · 22-03-2013 12:49am

You'd have to hope it is at this point. With the devaluation of the provincials - particularly for teams in the top six or so - caused by the AIQ system an NFL title is at minimum of the same level of prestige as a Leinster title. Honestly, removing the emotional journey Kildare have been on trying to win a Leinster title an NFL is a more significant achievement.

This isn't a D2 title won by playing a glorified challenge match, this is the actual honest-to-god title that would be etched into peoples' memories if it's won. For a county that's never won an NFL title it should be an especially enticing prospect.

qwerty93 · 22-03-2013 12:28pm

Syferus wrote: »

You'd have to hope it is at this point. With the devaluation of the provincials - particularly for teams in the top six or so - caused by the AIQ system an NFL title is at minimum of the same level of prestige as a Leinster title. Honestly, removing the emotional journey Kildare have been on trying to win a Leinster title an NFL is a more significant achievement.

This isn't a D2 title won by playing a glorified challenge match, this is the actual honest-to-god title that would be etched into peoples' memories if it's won. For a county that's never won an NFL title it should be an especially enticing prospect.

It would be a great achievement at to win out the league but at the end of the day its forgotten by mid-June.Cork won the last, what? 3 leagues and I know lads from Cork at work who couldnt give a toss about any of them as at the end of the day they fell short in the Championship. I would take 1 Leinster title over 3 national leagues any day and I think if we won Leinster we would have momentum and confidence that we never had from beating the likes of wicklow and sligo in the qualifiers.

Syferus · 22-03-2013 1:06pm

Cork also have seven football AIs and seven NFL titles in the bank and countless hurling AIs - the football supporters hardly give a toss about Munster titles either. Kildare's gauge of what an NFL title would mean is very different to Cork's.

A better - though honestly still significantly more successful - example is Mayo and how their league form last year helped propel them to the AI final. Beating Dublin or Meath to win a Leinster isn't going to stop any team from bombing out at the AIQFs, knowing you beat the very best in the country just a few months ago at least gives the confidence of knowing you're good enough on your day.

keane2097 · 22-03-2013 1:26pm

Talk of resting under 21s two months into the season is ridic. Players like John Doyle aren't going to be around forever, get the players who are ready to play senior playing senior and win something meaningful FFS!

Lemlin · 22-03-2013 3:42pm

keane2097 wrote: »

Talk of resting under 21s two months into the season is ridic. Players like John Doyle aren't going to be around forever, get the players who are ready to play senior playing senior and win something meaningful FFS!

Take Jack Brady in Cavan as an example. He's been playing league football for his club Ramor. Sigerson for DCU. Cavan senior games in the league and McKenna Cup. Cavan U21 Hastings Cup games and now championship games.

Plus all the training and challenge games that go along with all those teams.

The lad is 20 years of age. And he's not an exception to the rule. In Cavan there are others like Killian Clarke and Fergal Flanagan with similar schedules and I'd say there are plenty in other counties like Kildare.

I definitely feel these young lads should be protected from too much football. These lads are amateurs, not professionals.

Dubliner28 · 22-03-2013 4:10pm

qwerty93 wrote: »

It would be a great achievement at to win out the league but at the end of the day its forgotten by mid-June.Cork won the last, what? 3 leagues and I know lads from Cork at work who couldnt give a toss about any of them as at the end of the day they fell short in the Championship. I would take 1 Leinster title over 3 national leagues any day and I think if we won Leinster we would have momentum and confidence that we never had from beating the likes of wicklow and sligo in the qualifiers.

Ask a Cork player were is league medal is he couldnt tell ya, ask him were is Celtic cross is he will.
The championship is what it is all about

qwerty93 · 22-03-2013 4:31pm

Syferus wrote: »

Cork also have seven football AIs and seven NFL titles in the bank and countless hurling AIs - the football supporters hardly give a toss about Munster titles either. Kildare's gauge of what an NFL title would mean is very different to Cork's.

A better - though honestly still significantly more successful - example is Mayo and how their league form last year helped propel them to the AI final. Beating Dublin or Meath to win a Leinster isn't going to stop any team from bombing out at the AIQFs, knowing you beat the very best in the country just a few months ago at least gives the confidence of knowing you're good enough on your day.

Down had a very good league last year, and like us were expected to be relegated.In the championship they got hockeyed by Mayo and Donegal (two very good teams admittedly) its shows its not the be all and end all.Would rather see the likes of Callaghan, Flynn, Lynch and Smith get some game time even if they will be a bit rusty because when it comes to crunch in the summer experience will be vital.
Also I think Dublin are the best team in the counry at the moment, and after beating Cork Kerry, Donegal and Mayo, theres not too many teams bigger than us I think!

Lemlin · 22-03-2013 5:02pm

qwerty93 wrote: »

Down had a very good league last year, and like us were expected to be relegated.In the championship they got hockeyed by Mayo and Donegal (two very good teams admittedly) its shows its not the be all and end all.Would rather see the likes of Callaghan, Flynn, Lynch and Smith get some game time even if they will be a bit rusty because when it comes to crunch in the summer experience will be vital.
Also I think Dublin are the best team in the counry at the moment, and after beating Cork Kerry, Donegal and Mayo, theres not too many teams bigger than us I think!

Beat them in the championship when it really counts and then come back to us.

DARK-KNIGHT · 22-03-2013 6:28pm

Lemlin wrote: »

Beat them in the championship when it really counts and then come back to us.

i think we will lemlin..

also agree dublin are a class team...

tyrone are also playing great football.

if we get players back kildare are gonna be a strong outfit during the summer

klairondavis · 22-03-2013 7:01pm

keane2097 wrote: »

Talk of resting under 21s two months into the season is ridic. Players like John Doyle aren't going to be around forever, get the players who are ready to play senior playing senior and win something meaningful FFS!

Kildare need to get some football into players like Callaghan, Smith and Daryl Flynn who have been out injured. Daniel Flynn and Niall Kelly in particular have played a lot of football recently. A week out will do those lads no harm considering they will have a busy schedule coming up with the u21 final and with their college exams. I don't think it's a case of simply resting all the u21s. I expect Brophy and Donnellan to start again and it would be no surprise to see any of Hurley, Cribbin, Hyland or Conway involved at some point. They have less football played recently than Kelly and Flynn. Dowling came on and got a point in Castlebar but he went off injured on Wednesday night so he might be wrapped up in cotton wool before the Leinster Final.

As for winning the NFL, it wouldn't mean half as much as a Leinster title to Kildare. Most Lilywhites have only seen the team win two Leinster titles in their lifetimes. Some of the current senior team would have been no older than 5 or 6 when they won the last of those in 2000. I remember our last league final against Dublin in 1991. While it was a great occasion and it was all new to us at the time, the pain of that defeat was in a halfpenny place compared to the pain of Leinster final defeats in 1992, 1993, 2002, 2003 and 2009.

Getting the players ready and the combinations right for the summer has to take priority over winning the league. If one goes with the other than it's obviously a massive bonus!

roy rodgers · 22-03-2013 8:26pm

just heard the team for sunday on kfm.

donnellain
lyons
foley
mcgrillan
bolton
kelly
e doyle
o neill
lynch
callaghan
flaherty
flaherty
johnson
o connor
sweeney.

I think I heard that anyways..

Mr. Wong · 22-03-2013 8:45pm

Spot on roy. The keeper is the only u21 involved. Suprised to see Sweeney starting, great to see Callaghan starting. J. Dizzle must be rested?

roy rodgers · 22-03-2013 9:02pm

Interesting forward line. flaherty to pick up the breaking ball, kick it into the big men, lay it off for johnson, goal!!!! thats the way i see its gonna to played hopefully it works. The back 6 do look solid enough and wont change that. O neill is not a midfielder at this class and is struggling, would perfer to see him move a bit more forward.
Roli up front was the one that i was not expecting he's a bit hot and cold could surprise me on the day.

Mr. Wong · 22-03-2013 9:21pm

I wonder will we see anymore of Mikey Conway in a Kildare jersey?

Lemlin · 22-03-2013 9:54pm

Mr. Wong wrote: »

^^ Says your man from the mighty Cavan! Good Lord..

It's a criticism often levelled at Kildare that they are overrated. I would see that post I replied to as over estimating the team based on League results.

As for the mighty Cavan. I fail to see how where I'm from has anything to do with my opinion re the post but you'd do well to remember that, while Kildare are a vastly superior team to Cavan, since McGeeney took over they have won exactly the same as Cavan: diddly squat!

Mr. Wong · 22-03-2013 10:59pm

Lemlin wrote: »

It's a criticism often levelled at Kildare that they are overrated. I would see that post I replied to as over estimating the team based on League results.

As for the mighty Cavan. I fail to see how where I'm from has anything to do with my opinion re the post but you'd do well to remember that, while Kildare are a vastly superior team to Cavan, since McGeeney took over they have won exactly the same as Cavan: diddly squat!

NFL Div2 title last year. Do they not count? Couple of O'Byrne Cups too. That's not "diddly squat" as you so smugly put it.

Who's over-rating us? Certainly not any right minded Kildare supporter. Just the predictable hacks in the media.

Lemlin · 22-03-2013 11:41pm

Mr. Wong wrote: »

NFL Div2 title last year. Do they not count? Couple of O'Byrne Cups too. That's not "diddly squat" as you so smugly put it.

Who's over-rating us? Certainly not any right minded Kildare supporter. Just the predictable hacks in the media.

And I'm sure in the annals of GAA folklore people will look back and say that was a great Kildare team who won those couple of O'Byrne Cups and Division 2 title!

The poster above said that there were few teams bigger than Kildare. I disagreed.

You seem to have taken exception to that and made a smug comment about my own county. Now you have a problem with me being smug in return.

And you're taking exception to me pointing out that Kildare haven't beaten a top side under McGeeney despite a poster above saying there's few bigger team, me disagreeing and you taking exception.

If Kildare supporters aren't overrating Kildare, why do you disagree with me commenting on one who obviously is? You mention the media then but the media aren't posting here.

Until Kildare beat a top team when it really matters, my own opinion is that ye should be talking your team down, not up.

qwerty93 · 22-03-2013 11:58pm

Lemlin wrote: »

It's a criticism often levelled at Kildare that they are overrated. I would see that post I replied to as over estimating the team based on League results.

As for the mighty Cavan. I fail to see how where I'm from has anything to do with my opinion re the post but you'd do well to remember that, while Kildare are a vastly superior team to Cavan, since McGeeney took over they have won exactly the same as Cavan: diddly squat!

how was I overestimating Kildare? I think its a general consensus that Kildare, outside of the top 4 or 5 teams would be up there with the best.

Lemlin · 23-03-2013 12:21am

qwerty93 wrote: »

how was I overestimating Kildare? I think its a general consensus that Kildare, outside of the top 4 or 5 teams would be up there with the best.

Like I said, come back to me when they've proven it in Championship football.

Last year they were beaten by a very average Meath team and then soundly beaten by a Cork team who in turn were trounced by Donegal.

How you can less than a year later equate that to Kildare being up with the best is beyond me.

Mr. Wong · 23-03-2013 12:47am

I love the way people dismiss the league like it's nothing. Kildare for an "over-rated" team are sitting joint top of NFL Div1, this is without key players like Daryl Flynn, Eamon Callaghan and Alan Smith. McGeeney has blooded serious talent so far this year so I for one am very optimistic for the Championship. One hurdle that needs to be addressed though is to beat the Dubs, the physiological boost that would give this team would be huge.

The Dubs winning the AI in '10 seems to have turned the media's attention on Kildare as the hype machine goes into over-drive when ever we play a big side.

Lemlin · 23-03-2013 1:19am

Mr. Wong wrote: »

I love the way people dismiss the league like it's nothing. Kildare for an "over-rated" team are sitting joint top of NFL Div1, this is without key players like Daryl Flynn, Eamon Callaghan and Alan Smith. McGeeney has blooded serious talent so far this year so I for one am very optimistic for the Championship. One hurdle that needs to be addressed though is to beat the Dubs, the physiological boost that would give this team would be huge.

The Dubs winning the AI in '10 seems to have turned the media's attention on Kildare as the hype machine goes into over-drive when ever we play a big side.

Check this thread at this time last year. I was hearing the same then and stating I was awaiting the proof then too.

It's the league. Every team is trying out new players, resting lads or has others away. Cavan beat Meath and Monaghan a few weeks back in league games. Would I expect them to beat them in the championship? I certainly would not.

The media line is being pulled out here again too but it's not the media hyping Kildare in the posts.

Interesting how you failed to answer any of the questions I posed. Choosing to ignore them and go off on a tangent.

You talk of a psychological challenge to be overcome re the Dubs. Kildare's psychological challenge is that they need to beat any top side in the championship, something they have failed to do in recent years, often losing to average sides like Meath or even the likes of Wicklow.

As I said to the other poster, come back to me when they've beaten a top side in the championship and you lads can make proclamations like the one above.

DARK-KNIGHT · 23-03-2013 2:32am

Conway might be overlooked now he just isn't good enough

Lemlin · 23-03-2013 8:34am

We're discussing Kildare GAA in the Kildare GAA discussion thread.

You yourself said you expect Kildare to beat top sides based on league results.

I disagree. The Championship is a different animal to the league. For example, did Kildare not beat Meath in the league last year but lose to them in the championship?

That's the perfect example of what I am talking about.

rebel girl 15 · 23-03-2013 11:15am

Just a polite reminder to keep it civil lads, if you have a problem with a post, report it and leave the mods deal with them, thanks

b1964 · 23-03-2013 11:27am

Mr. Wong wrote: »

I love the way people dismiss the league like it's nothing. Kildare for an "over-rated" team are sitting joint top of NFL Div1, this is without key players like Daryl Flynn, Eamon Callaghan and Alan Smith. McGeeney has blooded serious talent so far this year so I for one am very optimistic for the Championship. One hurdle that needs to be addressed though is to beat the Dubs, the physiological boost that would give this team would be huge.

The Dubs winning the AI in '10 seems to have turned the media's attention on Kildare as the hype machine goes into over-drive when ever we play a big side.[/QUOTE

I think Dublin won the all ireland in 2011.:D

Mr. Wong · 23-03-2013 1:30pm

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Conway might be overlooked now he just isn't good enough

Good player but he's a luxury player. McGeeney seems to have run out of positions for him.

roy rodgers · 23-03-2013 7:05pm

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Conway might be overlooked now he just isn't good enough

Never rated conway anyways or connolly. I think mcgeeney needs to get rid of a few players that could hold the team back as they are not good enough.
Smithy could be next for the chop i can't remember when he played well for kildare must be two year now.

Mr. Wong · 23-03-2013 7:15pm

roy rodgers wrote: »

Never rated conway anyways or connolly. I think mcgeeney needs to get rid of a few players that could hold the team back as they are not good enough.
Smithy could be next for the chop i can't remember when he played well for kildare must be two year now.

Smith was our top scorer from play last year. He was the only player that performed against Cork in the AI semi final. Agree regards Conway though.

klairondavis · 23-03-2013 7:16pm

Smith is the best finisher in Kildare and was our best forward last year. He had Michael Shields in all sorts of bother in the All Ireland quarter final but Kildare couldn't get enough ball into him.

Connolly is a very good keeper. He just needs to work on his kickouts. He cannot take all the blame for the Dublin match because no Kildare players were offering him options for his kickouts. The movement on the kickouts was much better against Mayo and it was clear that it was something that was spelled out to the players before the throw in. They made it a lot easier for Donnellan who did well.

Mikey Conway still has a lot to offer the squad but not as a defender. He might have to settle for a substitute's role because it's hard to see him taking the 11 jersey off Niall Kelly given how well he is playing.

kencoo · 23-03-2013 7:59pm

There seems be to alot of stick for connolly recently and im not really sure why. IMHO hes a fine keeper and the least of kildares worries.
The dubs showed us that our midfield was weak enough. Yes , to keep drilling the ball into areas where we were always loosing it seemed like a hair brained idea but is that not tactics rather that skill?

For the past 2 years kildare have a plan A only and they will stick to it no matter what even if its obviously not working. examples - Meath in championship / limerick in championship etc....

Also, it may be just trolls, but im not sure what what hype is around kildare. We are in the top 5-6 teams in ireland, thats just a fact, but not good enough to this point in time to get to a final...

Lemlin · 23-03-2013 8:58pm

kencoo wrote: »

Also, it may be just trolls, but im not sure what what hype is around kildare. We are in the top 5-6 teams in ireland, thats just a fact, but not good enough to this point in time to get to a final...

I'll level the same question at you that the others couldn't answer.

If Kildare are in the top 5-6 teams in the country then why haven't they beaten a top team in the championship?

Dublin, Donegal, Down, Cork and Tyrone. All of those have beaten Kildare in the Championship where it really matters in the McGeeney era.

That's five teams. Then you've others like Kerry and Mayo.

Kildare have also lost to teams like Meath and Wicklow who are far from top 5-6. I also think they lost to Westmeath one year did they?

Therefore I would see it as hype to say a team who hasn't beaten a top 5-6 team is a top 5-6 team.

I don't see that as trolling. When Kildare prove themselves, I'll accept your "fact" but it clearly isn't one at the minute.

The one fact is that the media are blamed for hyping Kildare when everything goes tits up each year but the media isn't posting on here.

It's not even April and you've people on here saying there are few bigger teams than Kildare and that they are in top 5-6 in the country, if that's not hyping the team up, what is?

klairondavis · 23-03-2013 9:32pm

Lemlin wrote: »

I'll level the same question at you that the others couldn't answer.

If Kildare are in the top 5-6 teams in the country then why haven't they beaten a top team in the championship?

Dublin, Donegal, Down, Cork and Tyrone. All of those have beaten Kildare in the Championship where it really matters in the McGeeney era.

That's five teams. Then you've others like Kerry and Mayo.

Kildare have also lost to teams like Meath and Wicklow who are far from top 5-6. I also think they lost to Westmeath one year did they?

Therefore I would see it as hype to say a team who hasn't beaten a top 5-6 team is a top 5-6 team.

I don't see that as trolling. When Kildare prove themselves, I'll accept your "fact" but it clearly isn't one at the minute.

The one fact is that the media are blamed for hyping Kildare when everything goes tits up each year but the media isn't posting on here.

It's not even April and you've people on here saying there are few bigger teams than Kildare and that they are in top 5-6 in the country, if that's not hyping the team up, what is?

We also had Kildare people posting that we should throw our hats at it after the Dublin defeat only two weeks ago! Anyone who follows Kildare closely is well aware of their limitations.

That said, there is little doubt that they deserve to be classed among the top 8 or so teams in the country. I don't think we're good enough at the moment to beat Dublin or Cork or Kerry when it matters but Kildare tend to deal with the mid ranking teams fairly regularly when it's asked of them (although there have been some notable exceptions). To go undefeated in the qualifiers across six seasons regardless of the opposition is evidence enough that Kildare are among upper tier of teams. They are not an elite team yet and may never progress to be one but hopefully the next generation will drive us on to that level in the future.

kencoo · 23-03-2013 9:59pm

Lemlin, you have made my point. We are in the top 5/6 teams, i didnt say we were the top team because we are not. In the pecking order we are in the top 5/6- maybe the 5th or 6th team if you want to put it that way re championship.

I dont think its hype to to be happy about finishing 5th/6th/7th/8th or saying we are good enough to fall into that category. If i was to say 1st/2nd now thats hype...

I base this on the "fact" that kildare have been in the semi finals/quarter finals of the championship every year for the past 5 years, play in division 1 in the league and at the moment are doing well there.

If you think kildare should be outside the top 10 perhaps thats fine but year-in-year-out who should be infront of them?

Lemlin · 23-03-2013 10:10pm

klairondavis wrote: »

We also had Kildare people posting that we should throw our hats at it after the Dublin defeat only two weeks ago! Anyone who follows Kildare closely is well aware of their limitations.

That said, there is little doubt that they deserve to be classed among the top 8 or so teams in the country. I don't think we're good enough at the moment to beat Dublin or Cork or Kerry when it matters but Kildare tend to deal with the mid ranking teams fairly regularly when it's asked of them (although there have been some notable exceptions). To go undefeated in the qualifiers across six seasons regardless of the opposition is evidence enough that Kildare are among upper tier of teams. They are not an elite team yet and may never progress to be one but hopefully the next generation will drive us on to that level in the future.

I agree Klarion and you are one Kildare poster whose opinion I value.

You say top 8 and I'd agree with that but statements like its a "fact" Kildare are in the top 5-6 and there are few bigger teams than Kildare are totally over the top IMO.

It was the same here last year at this time of year when Kildare won division 2 but then you had the same posters saying in the Summer that the media hyped Kildare, not the fans.

Dublin for many years were a team who delivered Leinster title after Leinster title, a feat Kildare have yet to manage, but were found wanting in the Championship when it counted.

They too had little problem dealing with mid ranking teams but always came up short against the top 5-6 until their eventual breakthrough vs Tyrone in 2010.

Until Kildare finally deliver on the big stage and defeat a top side, I think supporters should be talking them down, not up.

kencoo · 23-03-2013 10:16pm

So if i was to say kildare a good enough to get to the quarter final again this year i am hyping them up?

klairondavis · 23-03-2013 10:22pm

Lemlin wrote: »

I agree Klarion and you are one Kildare poster whose opinion I value.

You say top 8 and I'd agree with that but statements like its a "fact" Kildare are in the top 5-6 and there are few bigger teams than Kildare are totally over the top IMO.

It was the same here last year at this time of year when Kildare won division 2 but then you had the same posters saying in the Summer that the media hyped Kildare, not the fans.

Dublin for many years were a team who delivered Leinster title after Leinster title, a feat Kildare have yet to manage, but were found wanting in the Championship when it counted.

They too had little problem dealing with mid ranking teams but always came up short against the top 5-6 until their eventual breakthrough vs Tyrone in 2010.

Until Kildare finally deliver on the big stage and defeat a top side, I think supporters should be talking them down, not up.

I think the vast majority of Kildare supporters do talk them down. Just scroll back a few pages to the reaction after the Dublin defeat! There are exceptions but sure you'll get that everywhere. Anyone who has followed Kildare for any length of time will never be overly optimistic. We've had too much disappointment down the years to be any other way. I remember Kildare in the 1980s and what we've had for a lot of the last 20 years has been much more positive and refreshing from a supporter's point of view. At least we've been relevant which we were most certainly not during the 80s. No one who knew the Kildare inter county scene back then held it against Tompkins and Fahy for leaving because the whole setup was such a shambles. Most older Kildare followers have a deep grained pessimism as a result!

corny · 23-03-2013 10:23pm

Whether or not Kildare are an elite side reminds me a bit of Dublin pre 2010. We were great for blowing away the lesser sides in Leinster but when le crunch came and Tyrone and Kerry walked into Croke Park we had no answer. Sometimes we were obliterated.

The turning point, and i really do believe this was the beginning of the road to AI success in 2011, was beating Tyrone in the quarter final 2010. The belief gained from that victory laid the platform.

Kildare aren't that far away from beating the top sides and big victory could spur them on to success but until that day you can't really blame people for dismissing them.

Lemlin · 23-03-2013 10:24pm

kencoo wrote: »

So if i was to say kildare a good enough to get to the quarter final again this year i am hyping them up?

No.

But then that's not what you said originally, is it?

Lemlin · 23-03-2013 10:26pm

corny wrote: »

Whether or not Kildare are an elite side reminds me a bit of Dublin pre 2010. We were great for blowing away the lesser sides in Leinster but when le crunch came and Tyrone and Kerry walked into Croke Park we had no answer. Sometimes we were obliterated.

The turning point, and i really do believe this was the beginning of the road to AI success in 2011, was beating Tyrone in the quarter final 2010. The belief gained from that victory laid the platform.

Kildare aren't that far away from beating the top sides and big victory could spur them on to success but until that day you can't really blame people for dismissing them.

Exactly the point I've made above. Until Kildare finally get over that marker and beat a top team, I think I've every right to take exception to comments made like those on here over the past few days.

klairondavis · 23-03-2013 10:29pm

corny wrote: »

Whether or not Kildare are an elite side reminds me a bit of Dublin pre 2010. We were great for blowing away the lesser sides in Leinster but when le crunch came and Tyrone and Kerry walked into Croke Park we had no answer. Sometimes we were obliterated.

The turning point, and i really do believe this was the beginning of the road to AI success in 2011, was beating Tyrone in the quarter final 2010. The belief gained from that victory laid the platform.

Kildare aren't that far away from beating the top sides and big victory could spur them on to success but until that day you can't really blame people for dismissing them.

From my reading of this thread most Kildare people would echo this so I don't really see the point to this debate? Those talking Kildare up in recent years tend to be journalists from outside the county.

This whole idea of ranking teams is a bit pointless anyway. The championship is a different animal. It is all on the day. Mayo got beaten in the All Ireland final last year but I don't think many would claim that they are the second best team in Ireland.

DARK-KNIGHT · 23-03-2013 10:31pm

Lemlin wrote: »

I agree Klarion and you are one Kildare poster whose opinion I value.

You say top 8 and I'd agree with that but statements like its a "fact" Kildare are in the top 5-6 and there are few bigger teams than Kildare are totally over the top IMO.

It was the same here last year at this time of year when Kildare won division 2 but then you had the same posters saying in the Summer that the media hyped Kildare, not the fans.

Dublin for many years were a team who delivered Leinster title after Leinster title, a feat Kildare have yet to manage, but were found wanting in the Championship when it counted.

They too had little problem dealing with mid ranking teams but always came up short against the top 5-6 until their eventual breakthrough vs Tyrone in 2010.

Until Kildare finally deliver on the big stage and defeat a top side, I think supporters should be talking them down, not up.

Ah lemlin your only back a week and in that week in the gaa forum most of your posts are here Jesus lad lay off it will you.

Kildare certainly have not beaten a top team in championship since mcgeeneys record in championship is outstanding when it comes to where we bow out every year. Some awful decisions, terrible injuries and some bad redding decisions have cost Kildare over last few years..

And as you described our seanie as was it the fat guy you said to me in a pm didn't help us last year as team seemed very distracted in championship til cork ran through them to finish our year off.

I do indeed think our lads have the ability to beat any team given they play their socks off etc.. But as a panel we are a hell of a lot lighter than Dublin.. Dublin IMO are a great team so much respect for all but one of their players. Our lack of a midfield due to injuries was horribly shown to us in a second half where I just couldn't watch..

Ill gladly discuss or debate any subject Kildare related with you but I have 2 kids and a full time job they take priority over arguing or debating here can't help that and that's why I don't take time to reply in depth.

Kildare in a nutshell IMO
Positives
Fantastic group of dedicated players.
Have in patches looked like a fine football team.
Year in year out at business end of championship.
Showed great character with the abuse others throw at them so mentally strong.

Negatives
Very hit and miss performances in championship.
No plan B.
Yet to beat a top team in championship.

Overall yes we are limited and most of us know that but your opinion on Kildare football isn't going to change a lot lemlin..

kencoo · 23-03-2013 10:34pm

When does saying saying kildare are 5/6th suddenly turn into winners of the all Ireland?

I have been on the road with kildare for years and know their limitations all to well. You could never say, based on current form, that they are good enough to reach the top. I still think they are good enough to be classed as 5th/6th though. Thats based on past form and results.

Kildare GAA General Discussion Thread

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