This week Nationalist piece - By Brendan Coffey

On the eve of his sixth championship

adventure with Kildare manager Kieran

McGeeney finds himself at a strange crossroards

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Where at first he was the one being wooed, courted by a county that was near the basement, now it may well be the case that Kieran McGeeney needs Kildare as much as Kildare needs McGeeney. For a few seasons now he has been under pressure to deliver silverware. Whether it is pundits or supporters, the chorus of dissent has grown, particularly in the last two years.

To be fair he has delivered as much as anyone could have expected. Trophies are hard-won things, especially by Kildare. Say what you like about O’Byrne Cups and National Leagues, McGeeney has worked hard to develop the winning habit. Of all the changes he has brought about since assuming control of the Kildare senior footballers in 2007, the most significant alteration has been the way in which he has radicalised the mentality of his adopted county.

After yet another depressing championship campaign in ’07, any kind of win would have lifted the gloom surrounding Kildare football the following year. Five years later Kildare fans were calling for the manager’s head when he failed to progress beyond the All-Ireland quarter-finals. McGeeney only has himself to blame for raising expectations to the point where it is almost impossible for him to satisfy them but supporters should also be grateful to the Armagh man for enabling them to dream big again.

Maybe that is what attracted McGeeney to come to Kildare. A man with big ambition, he scaled the Everest of Gaelic football on what was a landmark expedition by his native county but what kind of expectations must he have had when he first played with Armagh in 1993? Kildare were nearer an All-Ireland at that point and by the time McGeeney won his first Ulster title, Kildare had come within touching distance of Sam. McGeeney has often said that it took him ten years to win anything with Armagh whenever the lack of silverware during his time in Kildare is mentioned. In other words he is a man who knows how hard it is to win. As grimly determined as he was during his career, he must have been a dreamer at heart. How else to explain his fanatical devotion to a game that borught him nothing but heartache for the early part of his career?

In Kildare, he found like-minded people – dreamers with big ambitions who had suffered because of that sunny disposition. Kildare fans and footballers have known more heartbreak than they should because they have never run out of hope.

When McGeeney touched down here in 2007, that supply of hope had almost run out. Fnas had watched the county freefall from the dizzy heights of Leinster finals to first round exits. From 2006 to 2008, Kildare didn’t win a game in their provincial championship. Micko’s team had broken up and too many new faces looked lost in the transition. John Doyle became a byword for Kildare, as if the county didn’t possess another footballer worthy of recognition beyond its borders.

In 1990, Kildare became the great football project almost overnight. Mick O’Dwyer took over a county team but it was like he had taken charge of the circus. There was a feverish atmosphere around Kildare that culminated in Croke Park eight years later. Ultimately O’Dwyer had to pack up the roadshow before he could conjure his greatest act and in the aftermath there was uncertainty.

About the time Kieran McGeeney came to Kildare, the county had all but admitted it was lost. It wasn’t quite 1989 all over again but the parallels were obvious. Another disastrous run of results had precipitated the push for a big-name manager but the euphoria was not quite the same. McGeeney arrived wearing a hardened expression for the 2007 county final and his public expression didn’t change before he slipped away quietly from St Conleth’s Park after Moorefield were crowned champions. With Paul Grimley by his side, it was like Kildare had been taken over by a radical, new wave leader.

In 1990 the crowds poured into the county final to watch Naas win a championship but just as many people were there to see O’Dwyer. Afterwards the crowd followed him to the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge where a press conference was held. A football God had come to Newbridge and the congregation reacted accordingly. From day one, Kildare fans loved Mick O’Dwyer and no matter what he did after that, they were always going to love him simply because he was willing to come here.

You could not say that Kildare fans hated Kieran McGeeney when he emerged as Kildare manager in 2007 but there was a coolness towards him that suggested supporters would struggle to embrace him. To some die-hards, the Armagh way of playing football, however successful, was alien to the game they loved. Whereas they bended the knee to O’Dwyer, they insisted that the Armagh-style could not be imposed upon Kildare.

Of course McGeeney, being a subborn-natured individual, wasn’t worried what others thought. He faltly told the players what the outside world thought of them – a soft touch, just like the Kildare team of the pre-Mick days. For someone like John Doyle, that stung. Even if you had to respect McGeeney’s acheievements, it must have been hard to stomach such fortright views the first time you met him.

It set the tone for what was to come. Kildare stuttered through Division 1 of the league, got relegated and then got dumped out of the championship by Wicklow – Mick O’Dwyer’s new team. Before that game, McGeeney walked across the pitch and knew in his heart that his new team wouldn’t win. It was simple: Kildare weren’t scoring enough. They lost 13-9 and it looked like Kieran McGeeney’s reign might be a short-lived affair. Who would have guessed right then that he would be still in charge six years later, still struggling to win over the supporters?

Did McGeeney imagine he would still be here in 2013? Many might have thought the Kildare job would be just a stepping stone to one day managing Armagh but it hasn’t turned out quite like that. Armagh have fallen below Kildare in the pecking order now and even though McGeeney looks unlikely to deliver championship silverware so long as Dublin stand in the way, he may well have come to the realisation that, right now at least, Kildare is the best job out there.

Where else could McGeeney manage? He is, for all intents and purposes, a full-time Gaelic football manager who also took charge of the county’s under-21 side this year. He has been frustrated by the financial situation in Kildare – he didn’t get to bring his squad away from a training camp this year for example – and he has been in the dock with a lot of Lilywhites ever since the under-21s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway. At times it seems he can’t win in this county but then there are few counties where he would even have a chance of winning.

With a fanatical support base and a big crop of talented under-21s, Kildare is a football county on the rise again. Established in Division 1 of the league and consistently among the top eight in the country, McGeeney has taken this county a long way in his time. But the county has also taken him a long way. Inter-county football management jobs are thin on the ground and of those counties who rank above Kildare, no one is likely to come knocking at McGeeney’s door. The alternatives, bar Armagh, would be a step sideways at the very least for a man who desires nothing less than the ultimate prize.

The strange thing is that as Kildare have improved under McGeeney, McGeeney has become more indispensable to the county. If Kildare underperform this season and the county board want to consider a new manager, where does McGeeney go? Kildare are an attractive county for prospective managers but how attractive is McGeeney to other counties? And how attracted is McGeeney to other counties?

As he gets ready for championship 2013, Kieran McGeeney has as much riding on the outcome of it as the players. Make no mistake, managing Kildare is a job he wants to hold onto and for the things that he desires, we know he is prepared to go to incredible lengths. Don’t be surprised how far he pushes Kildare in 2013, he could well surprise everyone before the year is out.

Good piece other than Kildare are an attractive prospect for managers apparently.

Who might they be? Luke Dempsey, Paul Bealin and similar? Even at that they wouldn't touch us as we've no money.

Good article Brendan, brings back memories of the early 90's. I can actually remember where I was when I heard that both Micko and McGeeney were coming to Kildare. Each time I felt a wave of optimism that this could be the break we needed. Haven't given up hope yet but think next year is more likely than this year.

I would say Kildare are a huge attraction with the players that have been blooded this year. The next two or three years could see a very good team indeed.

Good article Brendan.

Thanks for the feedback lads - Micko did six seasons with Kildare before he cracked Leinster so hopefully that's an omen.
Heisenberg my point about being attractive to managers was to do with the quality of players and professionalism of the setup now in Kildare - I didn't have particular managers in mind. Like how attractive were Kildare in 2007 when McGeeney took over?

coffeybrendan wrote:

Thanks for the feedback lads - Micko did six seasons with Kildare before he cracked Leinster so hopefully that's an omen.
Heisenberg my point about being attractive to managers was to do with the quality of players and professionalism of the setup now in Kildare - I didn't have particular managers in mind. Like how attractive were Kildare in 2007 when McGeeney took over?

The professionalism in the set up is mainly down to McGeeney. How quickly standards would fall if he were to finish up, that I have no doubt. Listening to Dermot Earley's comments last week about McGeeney he said prior to McGeeney's arrival he thought he trained hard, he thought he was pushing himself. After McGeeney arrived it was a whole new level.

Syl Merrins must be given great credit for getting in McGeeney in 2007. An unproven rookie manager going to Kildare who at the time had just about hit rock bottom. It was big gamble by both parties.

Who replaces him should is not a matter for discussion in my opinion. Only one out there in my eyes that may be better than McGeeney would be Jim McGuiness.

Whatever about his failings and mistakes the one thing that cannot be argued about is the level of professionalism and dedication he extracts from Kildare players. If we had continued down the path we were on before he came in we would be a laughing stock (if we weren't already). Fighting it out for the wooden spoon in Leinster and with no hope for ever being competitive.

We got lucky in terms of timing with the appointment of McGeeney. His reign has coincided with a fundamental shift in the way teams prepare and analyse the game. You only have to look at our opponents on Saturday and Laois to see that once you fall behind it could take half a decade to just catch up. Again look at Laois and see their results at all levels this year. If Kildare had those results lads would be leaping into the liffey in despair. Those results are the cumulative effect of just a couple of years of not preparing correctly. But it will take at least five years to come back if they ever catch up.

I remember not to long ago being in Croke Park and watching Offaly give us the run around a year or so before McGeeney took over, Laois beat us by a cricket score just before that, I won't even mention Louth, lads surely can't have forgotten about how bad Kildare were. Maybe the younger posters can't recall it but we were awful and embarrassing. Laughed out of the place by biffos and the Queens.
We were in the pits when he took over, it's not exaggerating to suggest we were one of the poorest teams in the Country. He changed the way the senior side went about it. He may never get his rewards for the effort he puts in but to compare the Kildare set up now and pre McGeeney is like comparing chalk and cheese. There is no comparison.

The fear I have is that when he does leave it will all be for nothing. We will go back to our old ways and half prepare and it won't be long before the biffos and queens are once again laughing us out of Croke Park. Then we'll have something to complain about.

While I have been critical of the tactical side of things I do also appreciate the professionalism and efforts put in by Mcgeeney and would say that in this he is second to none. Our players have improved immensely under him due to his approach and some serious bad luck has robbed us of better rewards.

Fully agree on the professionalism and the raising of standards but his tactical awareness on occasion is suspect. Hard to imagine a side managed by Jim McGuinness ever producing inept displays like the U21's against Galway or the Meath or Cork games last year.

I admire the way he has put faith in young players this year and hope he stays around to get the benefit of them next year. As for a replacement when he does decide to go then I think Jason Ryan is in pole position at the moment.

murof wrote:

Fully agree on the professionalism and the raising of standards but his tactical awareness on occasion is suspect. Hard to imagine a side managed by Jim McGuinness ever producing inept displays like the U21's against Galway or the Meath or Cork games last year.

I admire the way he has put faith in young players this year and hope he stays around to get the benefit of them next year. As for a replacement when he does decide to go then I think Jason Ryan is in pole position at the moment.

On What basis?

Heisenberg wrote:

murof wrote:

Fully agree on the professionalism and the raising of standards but his tactical awareness on occasion is suspect. Hard to imagine a side managed by Jim McGuinness ever producing inept displays like the U21's against Galway or the Meath or Cork games last year.

I admire the way he has put faith in young players this year and hope he stays around to get the benefit of them next year. As for a replacement when he does decide to go then I think Jason Ryan is in pole position at the moment.

On What basis?

Simply on the basis that he is already involved and knows the setup and would probably try to keep the structures in place. Plus he did well with Wexford and has experience of playing big matches in Croke Park. Not saying he should get the job but he would be a likely target for the position when it comes vacant.

Jason Ryan would definitely not be in a position to take on the job at the moment.

Jason gave up management to concentrate on coaching.........

As far as im concerned Mc Geeney should be kept as long as possible let him bring in the under 21s and develop them at senior level
There should be no discussion on who should replace him until end of the season and hopefully it will be a successfull one for the lillies and the man the call ''geezer'' will be given a new 3 year contract because I know fully well lads some in this county will only realise what he has done with Kildare when he's gone it will be too late and they will be saying we shouldnt have let Mc Geeney go..but look hopefully it wont come to that and this topic can be discussed in August/september maybe after a bit of silverware is brought home to the shortgrass county

I have disagreed with McGeeney on a few things, particularly playing John Doyle at midfield and persisting with Tomas O'Connor at full forward. Also, I don't like his shoot on sight policy and I still don't think he's got to grips with our shortcomings upfront. Also, there are several Athy players who should be on the panel (and no, I'm not an Athy supporter).

Having said all that, he is easily one of the best managers in the country, and as Heisenberg has said, the only manager you could convincingly argue has the edge on him is Jim McGuinness.

HauntedGraffiti wrote:

I have disagreed with McGeeney on a few things, particularly playing John Doyle at midfield and persisting with Tomas O'Connor at full forward. Also, I don't like his shoot on sight policy and I still don't think he's got to grips with our shortcomings upfront. Also, there are several Athy players who should be on the panel (and no, I'm not an Athy supporter).

Having said all that, he is easily one of the best managers in the country, and as Heisenberg has said, the only manager you could convincingly argue has the edge on him is Jim McGuinness.

I agree with this a 100% .. In my opinion the three best managers are the moment are McGuinness, McGeeney and Horan..

Yes, the reason we are a top 6 -8 county and competitive each year can be directly attributed to his appointment, you can be certain that Meath, Laois, Galway, Armagh etc would love to be at our level and would snap him up in the morning if that were possible.

Bit of a mish-mash article, I certainly don't believe the angle he needs us just as much as we need him. I like what he has brought to Kildare and have been a huge suppoter of him. But I do wonder about his abilities to change tactics, counteract the oppositions switching tatics and direction in the middle of a game, we only seem to have a plan A. Hopefully Jason Ryan will be able to support him in that role this campaign.

Regarding managerial replacements certainly internally there is nobody in the county good enough or strategic enough to take over the reigns. Glen hmm dunno has regressed badly with Longford. Externally

Hopefully it wont be an issue for a long long time to come, regardless of what 2013 brings.........

KILL BILL wrote:

Jason gave up management to concentrate on coaching.........

... for the moment. He'll return to management at some stage - my guess being with Waterford hurlers, as he is on record as saying he wants to manage an inter-county hurling team and they're the right fit obviously - but he wouldn't have the time right now.

KILL BILL wrote:

Hopefully it wont be an issue for a long long time to come, regardless of what 2013 brings.........

That opinion could all change if we were to lose to the biffos on Saturday..

I agree with hg severalore Athy players should be on the panel, but there better off with the club our training is as good as any county team and I feel again this year our team will reach new heights in the county .

There are in all fairness a good few of that current Panel who wont be involved at all this Summer, and while its a great honor to be part of your County Panel, most of those Fellas would be better off Playing with their Clubs.. Did I not see recently where ( Athyman ) Ye had only 15 Players versus Sarsfields ? . If Ye had anymore on the County Ye would be giving walkovers !

There many positives to having Greezer as manager, the professional set up to team preparation and the approach to training and games, also the high standards and commitment that players need to have to be involved in a county set up, I'd say the structure of Development squads has aided the development of our county players coming into the senior squad which i'm sure greezer would have some ideas and input into coaching within the county development squads, I hear that he and all mentors of development squads and county teams attended a 3 to 4 hour long in house coaching work shop in hawkfield, so that must have been worth while to sit and discuss details of training, coaching and aspects of team preparations, I'm sure there are a few more positives to his appointment,
The negatives are also there, he seems to be very single minded and not open to change his approach to team selection or tactics, although it has changed a little this year, also he has made mistakes ( in his own words) in regards to making tactical changes in the coarse of games, subs being made in games, questions are always being asked about some of his team selections and the exclusion of certain players from teams and the squad in general' but he can only pick the players he feels will add to the squad. His alleged role in the Seanie Johnson affair probably didn't sit well with a lot of Kildare supporters and having him in the dugout for the league final didn't indear him to the big wigs in Croke Park also. IMO he has brought us on a huge amount in terms that I outlined earlier, but the defeats to Wicklow, Louth and a average Meath team along with other bad defeats in league and championship will always be thrown at him, the teams failure to win creditable silverware is also a stick to beat him with. In saying all that we were no world beaters in 2007 and his appointment as manager lifted our spirits and made us feel proud to follow the lilies again...... so good luck to the mentors and team today...CILL DARA ABU..

I hope he does a Fergie on it and stays for another 20 years!!!!!