McGeeney hails impact of powerhouse O’Connor

Tomás O’Connor has had plenty of detractors over the years, with the main gripe surrounding his scoring return, but there is no doubt that at his rampaging best, he is a very difficult man to deal with.

Dessie Finnegan will certainly be glad to see the back of the huge Clane man, who came off the bench to score a goal and set up four points.

O’Connor could have had two more goals and his potent mix of speed and strength makes him a very testing opponent once the supply and support play is good.

Kieran McGeeney was pleased for the full-forward, who responded in the best possible manner to being dropped for the Dublin game.

“Tom had to show us that he could score and he came on tonight and showed that,” said the Kildare boss.

“In the modern game, if you’re playing two or three up front, they have to be able to pull the trigger. Tom has worked really hard at it, he’s putting the head down and he showed there tonight, he’d three good goal chances.

“But it’s hard for Tom to get them (chances) because he’s so strong, players are pulling out of him and he doesn’t get frees. His third goal chance, there were two or three holding onto him.

“But that’s just the player he is and as a manager you don’t want to take that out of a player. You’re not looking for him to dive. He plays on. He’s just a massive man and it’s good to see it.”