Earley: Players responsible for poor results, not McGeeney
Kildare footballer Dermot Earley believes that manager Kieran McGeeney shouldn't have to ship the responsibility of criticism directed towards him since taking over as Lilywhites boss last year, and that the failure to bring home any silverware since 2000 means that the players should take full responsibility.
“Kildare haven't had any success since 2000. We got to two Leinster finals in 2002 and 2003 after winning two in the previous couple of years to get to one is no great honour. If Kildare start getting a bit of momentum you'll see the supporters beginning to come out. That's always the case - the more the merrier, we want as many as possible," Earley said.
And Earley believes that McGeeney has to be credited for taking the leap into inter-county senior management so soon after ending his involvement as a player with Armagh.
"I played with him with Ireland and played against him in the Railway Cup and in Armagh-Kildare matches. He came straight from playing to management but you have to say that he did it as a player.”
Earley added, “He is really one of the all-time greats and always led from the front and always did what he said. It's the same way in his management and he doesn't leave any stone unturned. He's very clear as to what he wants us to do and we have to go out and do it."
Kildare face Offaly at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise tomorrow afternoon and although McGeeney's charges were a division above Offaly in the league, that form counts for nothing this weekend according to Earley.
"I think whatever division of football you are in, in the league goes out of the window when it comes to the Championship. Certainly Kildare if we were playing a division one team you would still like to think you can go out and beat them. It's the same with Offaly - just because we are a division above them doesn't make any difference.
"You could see it last Sunday with Down and Fermanagh and Carlow and Louth. Actually it's irrelevant - it's all about who wants it on the day and who wants it more. Offaly and ourselves have had some epic battles and there hasn't been much between us. In 2000 and 2002 both games went to replays so I've no doubt that it will be a close game on Sunday and hopefully we can come out on top."
The Cadbury's under 21 Hero of the Future judge says that if Leinster as a province wants to get credit again All-Ireland success will have to come sooner rather than later.
"You have to look at where the All-Ireland's are coming from. Until Leinster win an All-Ireland we won't get the credit. Because Dublin have dominated for the last number of years they will be looking to win it. Results speak for themselves and you can't question the critics on that one. Certainly it would be great to see a team from Leinster come out again - a new team and hopefully it will be us."
However Earley also believes that the importance of winning a province title in the East can't be underestimated either and that the front-door route is the best way of setting yourself up for a stint at the All-Ireland series.
"Wexford got to an All-Ireland semi-final and Dublin got to an All-Ireland quarter-final last year but you have to look at the way Dublin have dominated. They are going for five-in-a-row and to win four-in-a-row is a huge achievement and they will be looking to win five-in-a-row because the best route to the All-Ireland is to win every game and to stay winning your Provincial championship.
“If you look at some of the teams that are going to go into the qualifiers - Derry or Monaghan are going to go in and Armagh or Tyrone are going to go in. They are fantastic teams and do you really want to meet Derry, Monaghan, Armagh or Tyrone in a qualifier. You want to stay and win your province and get a Provincial Championship.
"I think looking at Leinster, Dublin are a team to beat. As I said before there are five teams who are probably pretty much all at the same level and Kildare would like to think that we could be one of them that will be pushing for a place."
