Kieran McGeeney is New Kildare Manager

Over the Bar · October 04, 2007, 04:03:20 PM

Quote
Perhaps Mr Cavlan could be his trusty companion?

Only in the bit where he saws the dog in half.......

orangeman · October 04, 2007, 08:34:16 PM

Terms and conditions for the Kildare job are very good - new sports car already sponsored by some big outfit - by the way I don't begrudge it to him a bit - he's a legend !

ONeill · October 04, 2007, 08:56:08 PM

A complete legend. I'll never forget these photos, taken after the AIF in 2003. Geezer stayed out to watch PTG lift Sam as a reminder of what the hurt felt like.

A giant.

Sandy Hill · October 04, 2007, 10:49:47 PM

Coming from you O'Neill, from the enemy camp, genuinely magnanimous!

An Lark · October 05, 2007, 01:46:15 PM

[From the Leinster Leader]

Tommy Callaghan talks with Kildare boss Kieran McGeeney:

Tommy Callaghan: How much do you know about the standard of football in Kildare?
Kieran McGeeney: Well without being over familiar with Kildare I know how they have fared out against Armagh the last few times we played. They reached the semi-final of the national football league and while they may not have had a great championship run they are, nevertheless, a decent side and I am looking forward to working with.

Short term what would your ambitions be?
Well like everyone else, I would like to win every game that we play. That goes without saying whether that be in the O'Byrne, Cup, the National League, the Leinster Championship. It is everyone's ambition to win an All-Ireland and I am no different in that regard. Win every game we can I suppose is the short answer to that.

Paul Grimly is obviously very important to you?
Very important. I am not trying to pretend I know all about management. I don't. I have just finished my inter-county career and I will need a lot of guidance and as much help as I can get and Paul will be a big help in that regard. I have my own ideas and thoughts having played for so long but you need other people there to help and guide you and thankfully Paul is that man.

Your reputation is one of total dedication as a player I presume you will be bringing that attitude with you into management and expect your players to show the same dedication?
It depends what you want to do. If you want to turn up for every game, go through the motions that's one way but if you want to win you have to be committed; winners don't win by accident; you have to have hard graft; you only get out of the game what you put in to it; if it was just a matter of turning up on a Sunday or whenever it would be great but it doesn't work that way. Winners are the hardest trainers and the most dedicated of players; that has always been the way and always will be. If you don't put in the effort, you will get what you deserve.

I presume you will be bringing a third selector on board. Have you decided on who at this stage?
I will (bringing in a third person) but I have not decided who that person will be just yet; plenty of time to do that when I see how things are going in Kildare and who is available but between now and Christmas we will be training and we'll just see how things go and take it from there. Hopefully I can find someone who will get along with both myself and Paul which is essential and we will take it from there.

As an inter-county player who has just retired and still involved at club level in Dublin, what are your thoughts on the club versus county problems that crop up throughout a season. Are you anxious that your players play with their clubs as much as possible?
Yes, of course, I want people to play as much football as possible; if you want to become a better footballer you have to play football. Yes, I will be trying to accommodate the clubs as much as possible; it is vital for players to be playing football and while I am aware of the problems I will certainly be trying to accommodate everyone, both players and clubs

I presume you will be taking the player into the gym sooner rather than later?
A lot of people have this misconception of me and the gym. I am in the gym a lot less than many people envisage; the gym is part of the overall training; it is an essential part but in the overall picture of training it is only a very small part of it; you have to win the ball; you have to hold the ball; you have to kick it over the bar. The most important part of football is winning the ball, holding the ball, knowing when and how to get rid of it and putting the ball over the bar. Gym work is important but it is not the be all and end all that many people seem to think.

2002 was your greatest year, what was your biggest disappointment?
Again the perception of me out there is very different to the reality. The bonds you make; the friends you make in football these are the great things about playing football and when you learn to become part of a team that is when you learn about winning and I suppose losing. You learn to take what comes and work hard to ensure you improve. Football is very rounded; it helps to form a person for later life also which is very important. Disappointments are all about what goals you set for yourself, both on and off the pitch. The bigger the ambition the greater the disappointment if it doesn't work out but when it does the sense of achievement is immense.

You are heavily involved with the GPA do you feel it is important that the GAA move to improve the welfare of players from an injury point of view and so on?
Of course. The players must be looked after. They are the ones doing all the work; they are the ones putting their body on the line week in and week out, whether that is training or playing; and I'm not talking about professionalism here and neither is the GPA. Don't forget that players pick up injuries that can stay with them for the rest of their lives and they must be looked after and looked after properly. They have to be given as much lee-way as possible to accommodate them for their training and when playing but things have improved over the last ten years and hopefully that will continue. There is always room for more improvement; everything has to be right for the players; we have to get as good as players as possible out on the pitch in as fine a condition as possible and that can only be done with the help of the county board; the help of the hierarchy and really everyone involved in the game.

I don't know whether you are aware that this is a mad GAA county and I can guarantee the first time Kildare will line out under yourself and Paul the ground will be packed, as it was in Micko's term, whether that game is in St. Conleth's Park or elsewhere, do you think that will bring extra pressure on yourself and indeed on the players?
Well first of all I am a long way from Micko's profile but all counties these days have big GAA following so that is nothing new. As for pressure, I suppose there are different types of pressure. I am well aware of the pressures on players and while I have yet to experience pressure in management, I suppose it is a bit like everything else, if you want to listen to the negatives or the positives; I will listen to them all but am well aware that a clap on the back is not far removed from a kick in the arse.

When do you hope to meet with the players?
Sooner rather than later; lots of work to be done and the sooner we get a start the better for all concerned.

05 October 2007

Puckoon · October 05, 2007, 04:57:52 PM

Ive always admired Kieran McGeeney, that interview just confirms that he is a very solid, mis-understood and honest man. Does anyone really know the circumstances surrounding his departure from Armagh? I think he could have still be invaluable to him, maybe more so than some of the players who have yet to retire.

SimpleSimon · October 05, 2007, 05:26:05 PM

That interview is very typical of him, very level headed, keeps it simple and to the point! When that man talks the kildare players will listen and believe me the honesty he brings will have the hairs standing on the back of their neck from the 1st day they meet him. I wish him all the best

orangeman · October 05, 2007, 10:29:34 PM

If they don't listen to Mc Geeney they'll listen to no one

the destroyer · October 06, 2007, 10:33:29 PM

sure thon boys a quere heure altegether

do u hear the whilst stories bout him, hes a an animal

lynchbhoy · October 07, 2007, 12:12:27 AM

he has retired from playing club football from what I hear from na fianna
he also will no doubt appoint glan ryan as selector

orangeman · October 07, 2007, 07:18:26 PM

Heard he was at the Kildare county final today and was like the Messiah !

inthemixer · October 07, 2007, 08:43:22 PM

yeah got a glimpse of him at the kildare final. was keepin a low profile. he hada newspaper over his face with 2 eyeholes in it.

no joke

orangeman · October 07, 2007, 08:45:12 PM

There's a picture of him and Grimley on RTE website - I don't see that newspaper all the same.

inthemixer · October 09, 2007, 10:51:25 PM

nah he didnthave the newspaper but he did have the dark shades and ski hat on

tyroneboi · October 10, 2007, 09:37:19 PM

Quote from: inthemixer on October 09, 2007, 10:51:25 PM
nah he didnthave the newspaper but he did have the dark shades and ski hat on

Probably still hanging from his birthday party!! seen pics of it in the armagh observer today - looked like he was having a great time!!

Just to add i think McGeeney will have a Roy Keane type effect on Kildare. They are both similar in my opinion - born winners and have the dedication and committment to make it work at whatever level they manage at.