If you can’t punch, you can’t win.
Kildare can punch now – you can bet your life on that.
For the last few years, the whole country has been waiting for the Lilywhites to do something – anything. They’ve had a decent side, they’ve seemingly been in serious shape since the days of Kieran McGeeney, and their underage teams have started to dominate the province.
But, still, the wait goes on for a Leinster title. Not since 2000 have they clinched the Delaney Cup. Not since 2009 have they even contested the final.
This season though, something is happening in Kildare.
Paddy Brophy played his first game since returning from Australia against Meath and he gobbled up more than you could imagine.
Kevin Feely absolutely dominated midfield, already looking like one of the best in the business after coming home from Charlton.
And Daniel Flynn. God almighty, Daniel bloody Flynn.
The former Port Adelaide AFL player has been running riot for Kildare this summer.
He’s been moved to the forward line and he’s making magic happen. 1-3 against Laois. 1-4 against Meath. There looks to be no stopping the man and even Meath native Cian Ward had to hold his hands up on The GAA Hour and admit that what he saw from Flynn in Tullaghmore was just a bit special.
“He just plays with this sort of arrogance,” Ward waxed lyrical about Flynn.
“He’s like an adult playing with kids at a party – there’s a first communion and they’re all out kicking ball in the backyard and one of the parents comes in and he’s not drunk, he’s able to hold onto possession for however long he wants to.
“He played with complete arrogance.
“At times, it went against him because he was maybe a bit too casual in possession but he’s such an athlete – it’s frightening actually how athletic he is, how powerful he is. We saw against Laois, he buried Booth coming out with the shoulder, picked it up and kicked it over with the outside of his left boot – which is his weaker foot. He was kicking points off left and right the other night.
“He’s a serious, serious talent. We were all very aware of him a few years ago when he was coming through but he’s taken his game onto another level.”
Listen to the full Kildare v Meath analysis below from 47:20. Or subscribe here on iTunes.
