IN A PERVERSE sort of way, getting dumped out of Leinster by Carlow might have helped Kildare in the long-term.
Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
As if losing all seven of their Division 1 league games wasn’t enough, the shock loss to Carlow sent the Lilywhites on a voyage of self-discovery through the back door. It could have went either way, but game by game they’ve built form and momentum through the qualifiers and learned a lot about themselves in the process.
Last night’s 11-point success against Fermanagh was founded on athleticism, tactical awareness and score taking ability. This Kildare have been slighted in the past as ‘manufactured footballers’ but technically they looked far superior to Rory Gallagher’s Ulster finalists.
The 3-20 put past Fermanagh was the joint highest tally ever put up by a side in round 4 of the qualifiers.
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The highest winning score in a QR4 game is 29pts. It has been achieved five times:
2010 Down 3-20 v Sligo 2014 Galway 4-17 v Tipperary 2017 Galway 4-17 v Donegal 2018 Tyrone 3-20 v Cork 2018 Kildare 3-20 v Fermanagh#GAAQualifiers
— Gaelic Games Stats (@GaelicGameStats) July 7, 2018
The 3-17 they posted from play gives a little indication into the time being spent on skills work and working scoring chances on the training ground.
“I think that’s the best we’ve played this year, by a long shot,” said O’Neill after the game. “I think defensively we were sound. We knew they had some dangerous players inside.
Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
“(Our shooting) was probably our biggest downfall in matches we’ve played this year. We were playing teams whose conversion rate was 60% and 70% and we were shooting 40s.
“Against Carlow it was 34%, they shot 100%. So to have that turnaround is a crucial part of why things are working for us now.”
Another area they’ve significantly improved was on their restarts. Fermanagh typically only pressed up five forwards on the Kildare kick-outs and Mark Donnellan was able to pick out a spare man – usually on the half-back line – to give Kildare a solid platform to launch attacks.
Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
Donnellan gave an exhibition of medium-length kicking and all but one of his kick-outs found a team-mate in the first period.
“Mark Donnellan on our kick-out strategy was really on point,” O’Neill stated. “He had an outstanding game as our quarter-back and some of our forward play was excellent.
“You can see the work that has gone on on the training pitch. Everyone is really pushing to make something good happen here and I think we’re reaping the benefits of it now.”
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'That's the best we've played this year by a long shot' — O'Neill and Kildare finding their groove
IN A PERVERSE sort of way, getting dumped out of Leinster by Carlow might have helped Kildare in the long-term.
As if losing all seven of their Division 1 league games wasn’t enough, the shock loss to Carlow sent the Lilywhites on a voyage of self-discovery through the back door. It could have went either way, but game by game they’ve built form and momentum through the qualifiers and learned a lot about themselves in the process.
Last night’s 11-point success against Fermanagh was founded on athleticism, tactical awareness and score taking ability. This Kildare have been slighted in the past as ‘manufactured footballers’ but technically they looked far superior to Rory Gallagher’s Ulster finalists.
The 3-20 put past Fermanagh was the joint highest tally ever put up by a side in round 4 of the qualifiers.
The 3-17 they posted from play gives a little indication into the time being spent on skills work and working scoring chances on the training ground.
“I think that’s the best we’ve played this year, by a long shot,” said O’Neill after the game. “I think defensively we were sound. We knew they had some dangerous players inside.
“(Our shooting) was probably our biggest downfall in matches we’ve played this year. We were playing teams whose conversion rate was 60% and 70% and we were shooting 40s.
“Against Carlow it was 34%, they shot 100%. So to have that turnaround is a crucial part of why things are working for us now.”
Another area they’ve significantly improved was on their restarts. Fermanagh typically only pressed up five forwards on the Kildare kick-outs and Mark Donnellan was able to pick out a spare man – usually on the half-back line – to give Kildare a solid platform to launch attacks.
Donnellan gave an exhibition of medium-length kicking and all but one of his kick-outs found a team-mate in the first period.
“Mark Donnellan on our kick-out strategy was really on point,” O’Neill stated. “He had an outstanding game as our quarter-back and some of our forward play was excellent.
“You can see the work that has gone on on the training pitch. Everyone is really pushing to make something good happen here and I think we’re reaping the benefits of it now.”
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Cian O'Neill GAA lillies march on Mark Donnellan Kildare