David Herity reacts to another superb win for Kildare hurlers over Kerry
There was no denying the pleasure Kildare manager, David Herity, got from seeing his side defeat Kerry on Saturday to collect two vital points; book a semi-final spot, at least, and with a chance of going straight through to the League final when they take on Offaly on Sunday in Tullamore.
“I am delighted” were the opening words from the manager, adding “I suppose throughout the last week or two a lot of people would have said we had won three from the three but the step up was coming and we might wilt but I am delighted to see the way we performed there today; we played Kerry last season also and were doing well up to the 70 minute but unfortunately we let it slip and they won by eight; but today a lot of things went our way; we got the two goals at the right time and that kept us nicely ahead by eight points; two outstanding goals but even for ourselves this is the manner we aim to be at, and want to stay at and I am delighted for all the work that has gone in from back, the pre-season, the Keogh Cup for days like this.”
Not for the first time David Herity talked of the support the team had on the day and after encouraging fans to attend following the previous week's win over Derry he said “I have never seen a crowd like it at a hurling match in Kildare it makes a massive difference, we are on a very good run at the moment but in the first half there were a few decisions that went our way because of the crowd and if they come down to Tullamore on Sunday and help to get us straight through to a league final would be brilliant; incredible day.”
A vital part of the game was when Kildare hit seven points in a row while keeping Kerry scoreless and the manager did acknowledge that early their accuracy had not been the best; our conversion rate was just at 40-50; we were panicking when striking, probably did not expected to have as much time on the ball as we did; we started well; but then led 0-4 to 0-2 but from there to half-time I was very happy with the display.
“I was thrilled with first goal, I genuinely don't think I have seen a better goal worked with so many players involved, from the keeper (Paddy McKenna); someone dropped the ball along the way if you took that out, if it had gone to hand it was as a good a goal as I have ever seen; brilliant goal.”
Is there more in this team?
“There always is; there always has to be, you keep striving every single day; you don't rest on your laurels; there has to because every single team is going to be improving from here on in; we have lads and they will be champing at the bit to get back in over the next few weeks; they have all put in incredible work so yes, there has to be more in us.”