Earley fears blast from past

DERMOT EARLEY was “very sorry” to see Kildare exit the Bank of Ireland football championship in Portlaoise last Saturday. It was the natural reaction of a man who managed the county for two years and whose son of the same name is a current player, albeit one who missed the game through injury.

But of course, he's a Roscommon man, widely admired for his skill and sportsmanship over a long period of time, and he gained as much satisfaction from the team's victory as any one of the huge following who travelled for the game.

"I thought Kildare made a huge contribution to a fantastic game," he commented. "They played with great skill and determination, even though they had to do so while tiring fast after their massive effort against Laois in the Leinster final the previous weekend."