Complete cultural shift on the way insists new boss Brian Flanagan

The Big Lad is gone for his annual rest. Things are gradually getting back to normal. Whatever that is.

And there is little time before the action resumes and while it is a massive Saturday for Caragh who contest the All-Ireland Club IFC semi-final (see page 44) that one throws-in at 1pm, in Longford, later on Saturday evening The Lilies have a very attractive challenge at Cedral St Conleth's Park when they take on All-Ireland finalists Galway, a game that throws-in at 7.30.

It is a fund-raiser for the senior squad and should certainly attract a big crowd; U16s go free where there will be lots of half-time activity and more after the final whistle when young fans will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with players and management.

As for the game, well it's all going to be new.

A new game.

A new panel.

A new management.

A new stadium.

And probably the 'newest' of all— the rules.

These are rules, manager Brian Flanagan who we chatted to just before Christmas, insists will transform the game like never before.

“A lot of changes but I would say the game needed them, and from a coaching point of view you have to embrace them, try to get your head around them as quickly as you can” said the Johnstownbridge man.

“Any pitch work we have done over the last few weeks has been with the new rules in mind, figure them out; understand them and give players the accountability on the field because there are a few that will take a lot of getting use to.”

The three up top, very hard to manage that because from the sideline it is very difficult to get messages out on the field and that needs to be managed, while the other one is the dissent rules.

“The punishment now is huge, it is 50m and teams are going to have to be extremely disciplined in this regard, we all think of lambasting a referee but dissent is now for instance, not returning the ball to the kicker; dissent is very, very small stuff that needs to be tidied up ; it will be a complete cultural change in the GAA” said the manager, adding “players will have to cop on very quick because if they are costing their team, a ball brought on 50m say from your own 45m line and suddenly that is a scoring opportunity and now with the two point arc and the opposition has the option to bring the ball outside the 40m arch making it a two point score, so that is huge.

“And remember it can be a very small indiscretion, such as a shrug of the shoulders, questioning the referee's decision without actually being in any way negative or aggressive but you are punished 50m.”

At county level, in the beginning at least, refs are going to be ruthless, so we just have to take a completely black and white approach ourselves; it is even impacting how we are refereeing during training; any level of indiscretion at all and we are punishing straight away, it is a mindset but lads just have to reset as soon as that ball goes dead, simply shut up and get on with it, it is as simply as that.

While the seven 'main' changes are more or less well known at this stage there are many more rules —a total of 49 to be exact — that will cause much early season confusion, especially for fans who many not be overly familiar but they, like the players, will learn quickly.

Would have playing the pre-season tournaments, O'Byrne Cup etc, not have been the way forward?

“I would have preferred if we had played pre-season competitive games, I thought the right decision was to have competitive competition before the league; we could work on what was working, what wasn't but that wasn't to be so we just hadto get decent challenges Galway on the 4th and Down a week later ; we have already played Cavan and in-house games; and then it is the league.”

As is usual at this time of year Sigerson Cup games impact on preparation, Kildare have some eight or nine involved in those college competition but in an absolute mind-boggling decision these competitions are being played under the old rules.

So Kildare, like all other counties, will have those lads training under the new rules and playing college games under the old rules.

Inexplicable is one word for it, stupid, silly and downright head-in-the-sand stuff from those in authority at that level. One aspect of the new rules will certainly see a major change is the role of goalkeepers and while that role has evolved is recent years, it is about to take another major step up admits Brian Flanagan.

“We have GPS on our goalkeepers in training over the last number of weeks, they need to have a level of fitness and athleticism required to play that role; any attacking team that is the opposite half will be looking to bring their keeper up more often than not, maybe not every time, but some of it depending how aggressive you are towards that will depend on the type of goalkeeper you have and it is something that every county in the country will be looking at.”

Interesting to hear the manager's views on the rule that will keep three defenders in their own half at all times.

“They just need to be three defenders that are comfortable on one-to-one situations; they are not going to beat their man to the ball every time but when they don't, they have to be comfortable enough just to stay on their feet, stay goal side, you don't have the luxury of sitting three/ four lads back any more; you are not going to have fifteen lads coming back behind the ball, so yes I do think it is better for the game, it will definitely sped the game up; probably set it up for most fast attacks and more one-on-one situations so, from my point of view, it is a positive but has tailored our thinking as a management team as to the individuals playing these roles.”

There is no doubt that most, if not all, of the new rules favour the forwards and Brian Flanagan quickly admits to that.

“If you look at all the main rules, seven or so, they are all in the attacking teams favour, all the teams in possession are going to benefit; they are all offensively minded, so none of these rules necessarily benefit a defender.

“You have the mark, you can play on and if you don't get anything out of it, if I hold you up, you are still brought back for the mark; on that basis we have just tried to embrace the rules and we are very much just going to go for this, as I said when you are the attacking team you hold all the aces.”

So having been training now for a number of weeks how does the manager sum up the process is working to date?

“Enjoyable process so far; seeing the energy and enthusiasm from the players has been massive; looked at a lot of players, brought them in, see where they were athletically, physically, then in the last weeks tactically; we have had in around 55-60, picked from the club championships; from underage over the last year or so and a few other lads that have come back in who were not here last season; we are now at a point close to our final panel; two weeks from Galway and then we will be in a position to announce our squad for the league.”

Injuries, even at this time of the year are always troublesome, some recent, others more long-term so where are the squad in that regard?

“We had a fair few from the club championships; seven or eight lads but they are beginning to tidy themselves up now.

“Long term: Brendan Gibbons, two months out; Rian Teahan hamstring back in November, late Jan before he returns but everyone else is within touching distance of being back on the field; Jack McKevitt, back; Dean O'Donoghue; Tommy Gill; we expect to have Kevin Flynn, Aaron Masterson, Shane Farrell and a few more back in the New Year; while lads who have re-joined having missed last year, David Hyland, Brian McLoughlin, Mark Dempsey all rejoined.”

The manager added that he had spoken to everyone that is out of the country just to get a sense of where they are at and their likely time lines, such as Neil Flynn, Jack Robinson, Darragh Malone, so whenever they are back they understand there is an open door and we will be very welcoming to them whenever they get home.

There certainly a lot of new fresh faces and while that is not a surprise but will it leave experience somewhat thin on the ground?

“Probably, but I like to think we have a lot of experience at the other end, so while 50 per cent are new, as in their first year at this level such as Eoin Lawler and Ryan Sinkey; they are a lot of lads coming from U20s that will be first timers, like Jack McKevitt, Tommy Gill, James McGrath, Harry O'Neill, Shane Farrell, Calum Bolton, Luke Killian, Cormac Baker that have been on U20 squads but still young but at the other end look at Mick O'Grady, Kevin Feely, Daniel Flynn, Niall Kelly, Brian Byrne, huge experience along with Kevin Flynn and Aaron Masterson, it is about getting the balance right.

“Yes we are young, the overall dynamics is young, athletic and should hopefully progress over time, like to think the older hands will bring that maturity, that guiding hand while other lads find their way.”

As has become the norm Kildare will also have a Development Squad running in tandem with the seniors.

“We have a Development Squad that is up-and-running that Eddie Holton is looking after for us, 25 or 30 lads on that. Eddie Holton (JTB), Paul Flood (Maynooth) Pauric Carty (Celbridge) and Mikey Conway (Nurney) all involved; says a lot that we have that Development Squad, these are lads doing their utmost to get on to the senior panel; 90 per cent of that squad have been with us over the past number of months; I have spoke to then on the importance of fitness for their own development; physically, tactically and just gain experience at the inter-county level, all so very important.”

Looking ahead to the start of the Allianz League (Division 3) not for the first time The Lilies two opening games could/ will have a massive impact on how the league pans out and that is certainly not lost on the manager and his management team.

“Our first two games, Fermanagh (home) and Sligo (away) are massive games; we are not looking beyond Fermanagh, everything we do at the minute is geared towards Fermanagh; we want to start the league with a home win, that won't be easy we have a lot of work to do but we are looking forward to it, the lads are mad for it; couldn't ask for anymore.

“We are very happy where we are, happy the way the backroom is jelling; it has been a dream and the buy-in from the players top class, couldn't have asked for anything better to be honest.”

As for Saturday's attractive challenge against Galway Brian admits that he is very conscious that “while everything is positive at the minute, ultimately we will be defined by our results and that will dictate whether the crowds come back or not; we need to deliver from the end of January onwards; but that starts with Galway; not an easy challenge, top team; huge challenge; exciting game, big ask for our lads but you went something like that; we need to be on our game to compete.

“Exciting day, hope we get a big turnout; first inter-county game at Conleth's it is a fund-raiser for the senior football team; we are trying to encourage everyone to come along; bring your kids, U16s free, half-time competition; kids bring their own football; get out on the pitch at half time and the winner gets someone from the senior team to do a training session with their team and their club; the teams will be hanging around after the match; a family day, an enjoyable evening and a fund-raiser, great occasion and a great way to get the season up-and-running” said the manager with great excitement, great enthusiasm and, no doubt, great expectation.