Brian Flanagan happy with grit and character of his Kildare team
Tommy Callaghan chatted to the Kildare manager after his side beat Sligo in the second round of the Allianz Football League 1-16 to 0-13
Kildare manager, Brian Flanagan admitted that it took that late goal from Darragh Kirwan to give his side “some level of breathing space,” adding that “up to that point we were a little bit off with our execution with the wind on our backs; in the first half we are eight from sixteen (attempts at scoring) while they were eight from twelve while in the second half I felt Sligo took over between 55 and 65 minutes but just missed their chances, kicked a few wides and left us off the hook a bit but then when we kicked for home the goal came at the right time, while our bench certainly did well.”
The manager admitted that he felt Kildare did not have the same intensity at times, “which can happen away from home; the pitch was heavy, the ball wasn't bouncing, it was hard to get the ball inside but we are not going to play open and expansive football all the time, this was all about grinding it out and they did that and I was delighted with the character and the grit that the lads showed.”
The manager, not for the first time said he wanted days likes this when you are under pressure, you are pinned back.
“Whether you are a few points behind or a day like today when you have to dig it out; really tight and nervy and lads have to hold their nerve down the home stretch, that is the only way you will develop, character and guts and everything that is required to see a game out and there is huge value in a win like that, more so than when you win comfortably with fifteen points so spare.”
The manager said that he felt the defence played very well, adding they needed a result and they threw everything at Kildare “but I felt our defence stood up to well, especially when everything was not going our way up front and they (defence) led the way.”
The manager said that with the new rules and the pace in games teams need depth in panels.
“There is a bit of a debate now concerning extra subs in a game and I would be in favour of that, I think it is needed, five is just about cutting it for us at the minute but the impact from the bench will be huge for us for the rest of this year.”
The manager said with three away games two at home games to come leaves it a bit tricky, but we are delighted to have a two week break now, we have put in a savage six weeks since Christmas, the lads deserve a few pints, relax, adding “delighted for the fans who have been great, we want them to fill St Conleth's Park and there is a good vibe about at the minute, everyone is working incredibly hard and we get ready for the battle in two weeks time.”