COMMENT: Lots to be pleased with as Kildare footballers head back to Croker

Even the rain, torrential rain at that, could not dampen proceedings at Cedral St Conleth's Park, as Kildare, at the third attempt this season, finally got the better of neighbours Offaly and with the win qualify for the semi-final of the Tailteann Cup where they will play Fermanagh this Sunday in Croke Park.

It was, without doubt, The Lilies best display of the season, against one of the strongest sides they have met all year.
An attendance of 11,500 for the double-header on Saturday, fans were certaily served up with a cracking contest.

With the familiar face of one Mickey Harte stalking the sideline for The Faithful Boys, Kildare had the best of the opening half, and while they led by just two points at the break, one felt they were, up to that stage, the better of the two sides, but not by a whole lot it has to be said.

Little doubt where and when this game was won (and lost) and that was in the third quarter when Brian Flanagan's side played the best football we have seen this year.

They hit Offaly with five points to their one, opened a seven point lead half-way through and such was their dominance at that stage one felt they were on their way.

Offaly, though, are a side, especially when playing Kildare, rarely throw-in the towel and this they certaily did not do on Saturday.

Kildare, on the other hand, have a habit of letting teams back into a game despite looking like they had them beaten.
And that happened — again — on Saturday as Offaly hit a couple of two-pointers along with a few one's to cut the lead back to a single point on 63 minutes. It was all to play for at that stage but relief as the home side edged two clear again and while

The Faithful cut it back to one they failed to get the leveler, despite having one last gasp chance, the effort drifting right and wide.

It was indeed relief for the home fans, the players, and the management but there is still a lesson to be learned here, and not for the first time.

A game is never over 'til it's over, especially in the day of the two-pointers, it is amazing what a coupe of those doublers can do for the moral , the confidence and the enthusiasm of a team, while equally can be a dagger in the heart of a side that concedes such scores.

If Kildare are to reach the decider going awol for ten or fifteen minutes is something that will need to be cut out.

However, having said that, they (Kildare) did play some very decent football at times; had some top class displays, both in defence and in attack.

Fermanagh will provide the obstacle between The Lilies and reaching the final and a meeting with either Wicklow or Limerick.
Of course Kildare have played the Ernesiders before — in fact it was the opening league game back in January when they met in Newbridge.

It was a game Kildare won somewhat comfortably — 2-24 to 1-12 — with nine of the last week's team starting that day.
Fermanagh, on the other hand, who defeated Sligo to reach the semi-final — 0-21 to 1-16 — also had nine starters last week that also started against Kildare back in January, so plenty of changeson both sides from that opening game in the league.

Asked about Kildare's deplorable record in Croke Park over the past number of years, manager Brian Flanagan quickly replied saying “what has gone in the past is kinda irrelevant, this is a new squad, a new team, new mindset and I think they will relish the opportunity to going to Croke Park and win a match.”

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