Geezer ‘happy’ with silverware

Kildare left Croke Park yesterday with national silverware on board their team bus for the first time in the Kieran McGeeney era.

Yet while there were wild scenes of celebration amongst their supporters after this Division 2 triumph, McGeeney knows that his side will be judged by their achievements later in the season.

McGeeney admitted: “In fairness, it was a good performance today. We’re happy with that and it’s nice to get some silverware. Most of you were looking for it more than me at one stage there. It’s a good performance. I’m happy with that.

“We’re not going to be measured until the summer no matter what we do. Come Offaly (their Leinster championship opener), that’s when we’ll be measured. The thing about having your main part of the year in the summer if you peak in late spring, it’s a dangerous thing. I know Armagh played Down out here two years ago and beat them in the Division 2 final and Down went on to an All-Ireland final and Armagh were put out early. People soon forget.”

Still this was a game to cherish and one Kildare player will particularly savour the afternoon. ‘Geezer’ paid tribute to substitute Pádraig Fogarty for his dazzling attacking display when introduced from the bench in the second-half as the St Laurence’s player kicked three points.

“He had a fantastic game against Offaly in the U21’s. He was probably head and shoulder above everyone else, himself and Eoin Doyle. He’s been pushing hard in training and he stepped up on a number of fronts.

“He’s even showing us that he can kick frees and 50s just in case we would be afraid to take anybody off or putting anybody on who couldn’t do it. “So he has been pushing on”

McGeeney insisted Kildare’s failure to claim a national trophy before yesterday during his tenure had not created huge pressure within their camp.

“Everybody wants silverware but that pressure is external rather thaninternal. Everybody plays football for the one reason, to win as many competitions as you can.”

But there are priorities as well. Everybody wants to play well in the summer. Despite what people might think, the training has been very enjoyable and they’re starting to take ownership themselves.

But again, that lasts until the next game. People go on about tradition but to me, that’s just another word for belief.

“People might think they haven’t been a football powerhouse for the past 70 years anyway. They’ve been close enough but close enough is never good enough in sport. You have to be a yard in front of everybody else.”