Senan Connell: Five talking points for Kildare v Laois
Saturday 6 June 2015 21:26, UK
Sky Sports GAA pundit Senan Connell picks five key talking points ahead of Saturday's Leinster SFC quarter-final between Kildare and Laois...
Must-win test for Kildare
For Kildare everything is on the line. They have suffered successive relegations from Division One to Division Three of the National League and that's a major talking point.
Their squad has been decimated also. Sean Hurley and Paddy Brophy have left to play AFL in Australia; Daniel Flynn has gone to play football in the States; Tomás O’Connor left the panel after the league and Keith Cribben is out with a cruciate knee ligament injury.
I don’t expect them to go on a run in the Qualifiers if they lose against Laois, but with expectations untypically low they have nothing to lose and this match could be the saving of their summer.
By contrast, Laois are the stronger and more settled side. In Brendan Quigley and John O’Loughlin they have a midfield that can match any team in Leinster and their full-forward line is red hot.
They have a championship victory under their belts already having beaten Carlow in the opening round and a clever manager in Tomás Ó Flatharta.
Ryan v O'Flaherta
Jason Ryan is under huge pressure and I’m not sure how adept he has been at managing change.
For me, O’Connor’s departure is the big one. He’s a strong player, in the mould of Dublin’s Eoghan O’Gara. Every county would love the option of an O’Connor up front.
His loss is significant because when players with experience go it can leave a big void, and if this is not managed properly the pressure seeps down and can burden younger players.
As a young player in an experienced Dublin team I relied on the older established players around me.
I don’t expect Kildare to go on a run in the Qualifiers if they lose against Laois. This match could be the saving of their summer.
Against the backdrop of players leaving you need good talkers as well as good match-day performers, guys who have credibility and crucially, can fill that void.
What Kildare need is leaders. Jason Ryan is going to have to put his faith and trust in a lot of younger players.
For me however, Laois are the more developed team under Ó Flatharta.
Key tactical battles
Experienced players like Mick Foley and Hugh McGrillen are gone and it has the look of a rookie Kildare full-back line. On the flip side, the Laois full-forward line of Donie Kingston, Ross Munnelly and Paul Kingston is probably their strongest collective. They will get a serious amount of ball through Quigley and O’Loughlin in midfield.
How will Jason Ryan counter? He could set up to play a sweeper in front of his full-back line, and because of the pressure he’s under, tactics come into even sharper focus.
Will he choose to go toe-to-toe at kick-outs? Will he play a running game and get quick ball into the Kildare half-forwards? He may have to, because the best route one option - O’Connor - is no longer there.
If Kildare don't handle the pressure they could be out of it at half-time, but if his players have bought into his tactics, they are capable of giving Laois a good rattle.
Youth versus Experience
I watched Kildare against Dublin in the U21s this year. They put it up to Dublin and have enjoyed some underage success in recent seasons led by players like Niall Kelly and Padraig Fogarty.
Laois have already won a championship match. I feel they’re further along the development line.
Last year against Dublin, Laois set up in a way no one expected. They played man-on-man, pushed up on Stephen Cluxton’s kick-outs and won plenty of possession in midfield, with Munnelly kicking five points.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they are looking ahead to Dublin believing they can make it a real contest.
There’s a third factor that Kildare will lean on – they beat Laois in the league this season.
Key performers
Midfielder John O’Loughlin will be crucial if Laois are to win. He is different to Brendan Quigley because when he wins possession he drives forward and is capable of kicking scores.
For Kildare, Emmet Bolton is a huge player. His influence assumes even greater importance now because of the experienced players who have left the panel. Bolton can get forward from half-back and score goals. He is strong and when he is on his game, very influential.
He was a huge loss last year when he was sent off against Monaghan in the Championship.
The younger Kildare players will be looking to Bolton in an edgy, high-scoring game.
Verdict: Laois
Watch Kildare v Laois live on Sky Sports 3 on Saturday from 6.30pm
