Kildare boss Glenn Ryan focusing on the positives following Dublin loss

“Disappointing in the end not to get something out of the game; I felt the lads reacted very well after conceding that early goal; a nightmare start really; there could have been a tendency to go back into our shell, especially after the nightmare of last year's Leinster final but the reaction to the situation was very positive from an application of effort point of view; we probably played the football in the first half that would have allowed us to play to our abilities; reacted very positively to the situation.”

The words of Kildare manager Glenn Ryan as he faced the press after another disappointing result in Croke Park and against Dublin again.

The manager, no doubt hurting but not to the same degree as back in May, this time there were many positives, despite the set-back and that is what Glenn emphasised.

“We finished being strong and importantly we finished trying to commit to getting something out of the game.”
The manager admitted that while in some ways the game was somewhat reminiscent of our failings last year but we corrected them very well and that was important; it shows a deal of learning, awareness on the pitch on the part of the players to make sure to try and stop those opportunities happening again and I thought it was a very manly reaction from the players.”

We kept ourselves in the game and the mental reaction and the application was good and while we may have left ourselves short in the football end of things but I think that will improve.”

On the goal chance that Kildare made in the second half, the manager said he didn't actually see how that ended up but when informed that the ball came off the butt of the upright, the manager said “those chances are in games, they come and you hope you take them and when you don't you try and set yourself up for the next day.”

One of the other positives that can be taken from Saturday's game is the return of Kevin Feely and the manager said he is just an amazing man.

“Between now and the last time he played here he ruptured his Achilles, probably the worst thing any sportsman can have; had an operation on it and now has himself back here again; I'd imagine he has defied all the rules of medicine and science to get himself back and for him to do that in an amateur sport; holding down a fully time job in his business (physio) which he works very hard at; going out there today at this stage is something he should be highly, highly commended for.”

As for the next game, this Sunday against Cork in Newbridge, the manager admitted that it is a very short turn-around, adding he did not know if anyone who was not available today would be available next week but “we will have a look at the lads in training during the week, that is what we always do before we sit down to pick the team for the next game.”