Whatever about the speculation of off field issues - On field we were a disaster yesterday.
Even though we had our 15 wides, the scoreline didn't flatter Galway and they won at an absolute canter. No point in fooling ourselves , their B team walked all over us.
All the old failings on show, lazy tackles, too far off men, working a good position for a score and not taking the risk and then reworking to a worse position which resulted in desperado stuff.
The teams morale looked completely shot, even the new guys in.
I thought it was telling at the end, there was no group warm down/debrief. The whole squad left the pitch in ones and twos , heads down looking sheepish. It was depressing to see and will take a massive effort to turn this around.
Yesterday was an ideal opportunity (opposition wise / weather wise / location wise) to give it a shot in the arm. Something to build upon for championship and finish a poor campaign on a high. They never gave it a chance, even some of the new lads in (and recalled lads) seemed to buy into the recent malaise.
Aaron O Neil's kick outs were some weapon but it seemed at times our lads weren't expecting the distances he was kicking and were oblivious to knock ons.. Simple simple things lads. I may be a bar stool pundit but if I can see it surely management but more importantly the players themselves can see it. In game management !! Also thought O Neil could have been given a shot at some of the late frees. Try something different. It was a painful 70 minutes.
For me, Aaron (one mistake aside) had a fine debut and Kevin Flynn showed some encouragement but there wasn't much else to take from yesterday.
A very depressing day for the squad. I completely agree we shouldn't resort to personal attacks and abuse based on speculation but justified criticisms based on the footballing evidence of yesterday and this past 3 months is ok with me. These are big boys we are dealing with. Take it on the chin , pin up these criticisms on the dressing room wall if needs be, I don't care. Anything to provoke some sort of a reaction.
I want to see Kildare win - That's all I care about. If they don't win I want to see a genuine effort in trying.
For me although the former was a write off this campaign, its the latter which frustrates me more. There were at least 2 games this campaign where the combined efforts have not been up to scratch.
Anyway, rant over. I hope they dust themselves off, are as honest as hell with each other and start tearing lumps out of each other in training to prove me and many other doubters wrong. Theres nothing I would love more. Tough few weeks ahead - Cil Dara Abu.