O'Grady and Flynn still doing the business for Kildare

Two of Kildare’s “elder statesmen”, Daniel Flynn and Mick O’Grady made telling contributions to the Lilywhite cause in the victory over Offaly in the Tailteann Cup quarter final in Cedral St Conleth’s Park on Saturday last. Johnstownbridge man, Flynn, who had been among the goals since his return to full action a few weeks ago, put in a huge amount of work on Saturday, raising a white flag in the process. On the other hand, Celbridge man, O’Grady, a former Lilywhite captain, entered the fray with just over ten minutes remaining to steady the ship and pop over a fine point in the 66th minute which gave Kildare a three-point cushion that was vital in seeing out the game by a single point.

Speaking of his inspirational score O’Grady said, “I suppose I didn't really think too much about it, because I know if I had missed, I probably would have been murdered. I knew I just wanted to come on and make an impact and the space opened up and I knew I had fresh legs,” he told the Kildare Nationalist as he celebrated with fans on the pitch after the game.

His instructions were simple when coming on as a sub for Brendan Gibbons. 

“Just to come in and bring a bit of energy into the middle and try and get on top of (Jonathan) Hayes because he was causing a few problems and had kicked a couple of scores there,” he explained.

O’Grady agreed that the third quarter in which Kildare went seven points up at one stage was crucial in his side’s defeat of Offaly. 

“Yeah, it was massive. It gave us a cushion just to get our noses in front and it meant then that Offaly were kind of forced out and they had to come and try and attack the game,” he explained. “That was some of the best football that we've played all year, we were excellent,” he added.

How does he feel about the chance to play in Croke Park again, we wondered? 

“It's brilliant,” he enthused. “We obviously were disappointed to go out of the Leinster and All Ireland series. In fairness to the lads, we met after that and we said that we needed to go after the Tailteann Cup. We were after getting promoted back into Division Two. We want to win this. It's a young team there and we want to give ourselves the best possible platform for next year,” he told us. 

“It's brilliant to get back up there, it’s only going to be a week's turnaround, but excellent being back up there and we’re looking forward to semi-final,” the Celbridge man concluded.

Kildare’s flamboyant forward, Daniel Flynn, was enjoying the victory as he posed for photos and signed autographs on the pitch with his many young admirers after the game but the Johnstownbridge was full of admiration for Kildare’s determination throughout the game.

“That’s a 50/50 game, you know. Ourselves and Offaly are very finely balanced and conditions didn't help but we played well,” he explained. 

“I thought we were fairly controlled and we had to be. To be honest, I thought Alex (Beirne) was outstanding and I thought he was a difference today,” Flynn added.

“We probably rushed a couple in the first half when they came in long and it's tough when it's raining to try control it but I thought in the second half, we were a lot better.” 

 The Kildare sharpshooter agreed that James McGrath’s first half goal was crucial to Kildare’s victory. 

“The goal kind of changed everything, you could feel the momentum kind of swing and they never went ahead again.” 

After a challenging start to the year with fitness and work commitments Kildare fans are delighted to see Daniel Flynn back on form again. 

“Yeah, back well and back training okay and enjoying it and I've enjoyed it all year. A little bit at the start I’d have liked to have been in a little bit more but it’s all forgotten now,” he told us.