"We let a huge opportunity slip"- O'Neill rues missed chances as Kildare slump to second defeat

In the grand scheme of things when Kildare look back on this league journey however it may end, Sunday’s defeat to Monaghan will still bite and be viewed as a missed opportunity. Even before a clutch of chances went awry in the 10 minutes or so that Kildare had to find a leveller, there was an absence of good decision making and execution that hindered the Lilywhites’ performance as a whole.

Looking back on the video review will not make easy viewing for the players or management in the days following the defeat, though there can’t be too much time spent licking wounds as a pivotal battle with Tyrone approaches next Sunday. Manager Cian O’Neill was evidently hugely disappointed in the manner of the defeat, exasperated even. Kildare didn’t play too badly, and they did come within a point of a hardened and experienced Monaghan side, but defeats always feel a lot more disheartening when a win is within reach.

“Huge opportunity missed,” was the first assessment of O’Neill.

“We can blame no one only ourselves; we had the chances, we created the chances, but I suppose it’s fair to say that the first eight to 10 minutes was a reflection of our performance across the match,” he continued.

“By way that we had chance after chance and we didn’t execute and we got a sucker punch with the goal obviously. We were definitely the architects of our own downfall - that’s the big pity. Last week we were beaten by a better team. I think there was very little between the teams today and we let a huge opportunity slip.”

“We made a lot of poor decisions out there whether we had the ball or didn’t have the ball. Our decision making was awful today – even at the end when we were trying to create a leveller. We made poor decisions there instead of trying to work the ball closer, we took an opportune shot. Same with the cars, same with some of the tackling at times that we were punished for.

Photo by Pat Tinsley

“Ultimately, we had enough chances there to win several games and that to me is the most disappointing thing. Our turnovers when we were in good positions cost us, but it’s nothing that’s not fixable. That must be said, it’s nothing that’s not fixable. We improved a lot from last Saturday to today – we just didn’t improve enough to get over the line. We need to put even more work in before Tyrone come here next week.”

There was a physicality from the Monaghan team that was borderline at times but smacked of a streetwise attitude that over-burdened Kildare at times, and it is evident that they have benefitted hugely from a few seasons in Division 1. Kildare possess a team that might have more skill and ability than the Farney men, but at this moment in time lack the experience that comes with consistently performing in the top tier of the league and winning provincial champions, like Sunday’s opponents have done.

O’Neill wasn’t in the mood for comparing the Lilywhites to Monaghan, but admitted that lessons have to be learned from each game in this division.

“Without comparing to any other team we just have to improve our own performance, our own decision making, we need to improve our ruthlessness in front of goals,” he said.

“Monaghan, it’s not just that they’ve been in Division 1, they’ve won two Ulster titles in the last five years. Kildare have won two Leinster Championships in the last 62 years. Division 1 is a great test and a great battleground for seeing where you’re at, but not to be blunt and obvious, we’re still a little bit off that. That was a match that could have been won today.

“Serious lessons learned, and only by playing these games week in week out you’ll see where we are and you’d like to see improvement game by game. We did a lot of good things today and I don’t think they should be overshadowed. There were a lot of good passages of play, particularly in the third quarter. The first quarter was excellent bar our shooting, but you can’t get through against quality teams by shooting 30 per cent.”

One of the faults of the Kildare performance was a number of missed frees from Kevin Feely, who has been ultra-reliable since taking over those duties last year against Down, but he will be disappointed with the number of efforts missed on Sunday. Kildare’s panel is lacking potential free-takers in the absence of Neill Flynn and when Feely has a rare off day, but O’Neill defended the Athy man who had a good game outside of his duties from placed balls.

“Everyone was lauding Kevin last year, kicking right foot and kicking left foot,” remarked O’Neill.

“I don’t think it really matters what he’s doing for his club, he is our free-taker. His percentages last year were incredible, he was in the top 5-8 per cent in the country. He had an off day today and that can happen. I think it’s very easy to focus on that. We had players who weren’t kicking frees and kicked two or three wides from play today and you don’t hear anything about them.

“It’s a pressure situation and no more than ‘keepers with kickouts and free-takers with frees, all eyes or on them because it’s a set piece. I wouldn’t worry about Kevin, he’ll get practicing again. It’s just one of those days.”