Fresher Lilies pleasing Geezer

Kieran McGeeney aims to build on what he believes was on one of Kildare’s best seasons since he took charge in 2008.

Even though they were surprised by Meath in Leinster and defeated by Cork by 13 points in an All-Ireland quarter-final, the Armagh man maintains the Lilywhites’ 2012 was a lot better than perceived.

McGeeney, who has a new management team in place with former Wexford manager Jason Ryan as coach and Damien Hendy as selector, expects “bumps” early season.

“It’s definitely freshened things up,” said ‘Geezer’ of his new assistants. “Everybody feels it when it’s their time to move on and both (former selector Niall Carew and coach John Rafferty) were brilliant.

“Despite what people thought, it was one of our strongest years last year. It just collapsed the way it did against Cork.

“Getting to Division One and we were quite dominant for most parts of the Championship. We still have to be consistent against the top teams, that’s the big step for us and we’ll get that in Division One.

“You hope that Damien and Jason will bring something to that.”

Speaking on Kildare FM , McGeeney said he was looking forward to the new ideas Ryan and Hendy will bring into the set-up.

“There’s always difference of opinions. Despite what people may sort of think out there, I like people who have difference of opinions.

“If it was just down to what I thought sure I wouldn’t bother taking anyone in. I like people who can come in and argue and deal with confrontation because they’re always going to get that. But they’re still going to get their point across. I always go for those types of people.”

Reacting to James Kavanagh’s decision to quit the panel, McGeeney said he respected the forward’s decision.

“James just told me he has a lot of personal things going on at the moment and finds it hard to commit.

“When a man tells you that, you’ve have to take him at his word. He’s a lot of things going on in his life.

“It’s a pity — he’s a great lad. But you need to give him the space and time to do what he needs to do.”

Kildare begin their O’Byrne Cup campaign against Carlow IT in Newbridge tomorrow and McGeeney has hinted there will be plenty of experimentation in the weeks ahead.

“Things will be rusty and I’m sure there’ll be a few bumps to start with.

“It’ll take awhile, it’s probably not the best place to do it in Division One but that’s where we are.”

McGeeney is also in charge of the Kildare U21 side this year and hopes five or six will be able to make the step-up to the senior ranks.

“Anybody that’s moving well (will be considered). There’s no closed door even though certain pundits would have picked me up wrong on that one — it wouldn’t be the first time.

We have some great young fellas in U21. They’re putting in a great effort. Even in the first couple of days, they are very keen.

“There are some great athletes in it too and some good scorers so I’m really hoping over the next couple of months they’ll push into the seniors.”