Kildare’s frustrating inconsistency suggests a lack of identity and leaders, which could be exposed at Croke Park on SundayKildare's Daniel Flynn is one of the most talented forwards in Leinster, but his team cannot seem to put together a series of goof performances. Photograph: James Lawlor/InphoDublin ultimately ran out two-point winners, and while we hadn’t played well, nobody in our dressingroom needed to be told Kildare had made it difficult for us.
They set up quite defensively and frustrated us in that encounter, and from my experience playing against Kildare it was one of those rare occasions when it seemed they were on the same wavelength from a tactical perspective. The Dublin defenders would rank players like Daniel Flynn and Ben McCormack as some of the best individually talented forwards they have marked over the years.
I have no doubt the Kildare players are putting in the hours and the training required, and I have no doubt they are making all the sacrifices needed, but when a team finds itself in a rut – losing all seven games in the league – it can be difficult to turn your season around. There could be loads going on in the background of which we are not aware, but ultimately the players are going out to represent their county, their club, they are going out playing with their best friends, they have a responsibility to perform and leave all that other stuff at the door.