Cian O'Neill says Tom Ryan helped Kildare play in Newbridge

After a turbulent week with a dispute over the venue for Kildare vs Mayo, the clash was played out at St Conleth's Park, Newbridge.

Kildare recorded a famous victory over last year's All-Ireland champions, and it is the first time since 2010 that Mayo have not reached the All-Ireland semi-final.

However, there was a stage earlier in the week where it looked like the game would not take place at all, as a stand-off developed between the Kildare county board and the GAA.

Many criticised the GAA bosses for their radio silence throughout the week, but speaking after the victory, Cian O'Neill held special praise for Director General Tom Ryan.

"I know he wasn't front and centre, but I'm pretty confident in my own head that the intervention of Tom Ryan was critical to this being resolved the way it was.

"I don't know the man, never met the man, but I definitely know he's a reasonable man. And I think what happened with the county board working really hard behind the scenes with the GAA, it definitely wouldn't have happened without his intervention or his recommendation."

O'Neill made it clear that the controversy had minimal disruption to their preparations.

"I think we put it to bed on Tuesday, that was the most important thing, that this is about a match, and it's about our match. The players had to do what they had to do individually throughout the week.

"To me it didn't look like it fazed them today. The first quarter was a brilliant period of football. I think they answered that questions themselves without me answering it for them."

Nonetheless, O'Neill is eager for this not to become a one-off performance, and there is an onus on the group to now back up the result.

"There have been many false dawns for Kildare football over the years, including the last three when I've been here. What it's done is put us in the bowl for Monday morning, and if anything there's probably more pressure on us next week, externally not internally, because of the victory here today. You just get back to working really hard. There's no secret to the success there today for the players bar hard work, dedication, resilience.

"Some people questioned the leadership qualities of the group. There was plenty of them on show today.

"I think they've come too far now to actually get carried away with this and underperform. Maybe that was a bit of learning last year after the Leinster final [last year]. We were getting pats on the back for a match that we lost by nine points, and then underperformed the next day out.

"I think that's all part of learning and experience. There's a lovely quote that somebody gave to me this week - 'experience is something you gain when you don't get what you wanted'. So we didn't get that in Leinster, we've gained quality experience through the last three rounds. It's up to us to put that to good use now for the next seven/eight days."