Kildare have players suited to Croker, but they haven't delivered

Kildare's Daniel Flynn. ©INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

After losing at home to Clare in last year's National League, and beating Cork and Laois away, then Kildare manager Jack O'Connor spoke of his team's love of wide open spaces and big pitches.

"That's the problem with Newbridge, it's very tight," said Lilywhites boss O'Connor of Kildare's home ground. "I felt, particularly with the way Clare set up, that the pitch didn't suit us but sure we can't make it any bigger. Look, it's no coincidence we played well in here (Portlaoise v Laois) and we played well in Thurles (against Cork). We want to kick the ball and if you can't kick it in these wide open spaces, you won't kick it anywhere."