Alex Beirne: Increased focus on defensive work-rate key for Kildare

As far as areas of concern go for boss Glenn Ryan ahead of Saturday's league opener with Dublin at Croke Park, a leaking defence is at the very top of the list

FOCUS: Kildare Senior Footballer Alex Beirne. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

When Kildare conceded 2-20 to Mayo in the final round of last year's National League, resulting in their relegation to Division 2, it was the beginning of a defensive tailspin.

Between that game and Kildare's four subsequent Championship outings, the Lilywhites coughed up a whopping 11-77, or 22 points on average per game, bottoming out with the 5-17 they conceded to Dublin on Leinster final day.