How Kildare became the chart toppers for Emmet Bolton

While much of the focus on links between Mayo and Kildare revolve around Cian O’Neill - the Lilywhite manager who served as coach with the westerners when they reached the All-Ireland final in 2012 - there are other connections between the counties.

Kildare’s all-action middle-eight man, Emmet Bolton recalls travelling to Mayo games up to his mid-teens, before he began to become a regular in the All White jersey. With that, his father’s loyalties altered too.

“Dad’s from Mayo” explains Bolton. “He has eight brothers. A couple of them played for Mayo, a couple of League games, and an uncle of mine, Oliver would have played masters’ football with Mayo. Up to probably the age of 16 I was going to a good lot of Mayo games.