Kildare manager Glenn Ryan reacts to Dublin loss in Croke Park

Frustration but huge pride in the players was Kildare manager Glenn Ryan's initial comment as he met with the press following his side's two point defeat against Dublin on Sunday in Croke Park.

“We have had some very tough days over the last number of weeks but I would have said that at no stage did any of the players look the other way other than at themselves to improve things and that is what was reflected out there today as they put themselves in a position of winning the game and when they put themselves into that position they did not shy away from it.

“Maybe with better execution we could have won the game but I always give the fella who would back himself and go for it rather than someone who would hide and shy away full credit; and these fellas certainly did not shy away from it; they worked so hard to get ahead; so hard to get back in front and then very hard, and bravely, to try and win the game and I am very, very proud of the players in that regard.”

Asked about some chances that fell short late on, the manager said he felt possibly fatigued but pointed out there were shorts from both sides, adding “ in a tight game everything is crucial but if it was anything it was bravery that they went for the shots.”

The Towers man said his players showed huge character, huge manliness, huge bravery; we didn't win the game and these fellas don't need me to tell them how manly and how brave they are they just want to try and win something and show their best but I still felt we left a bit behind today in terms of performance but in terms of commitment and effort you just could not fault them.

“In the end we needed to get a simple score, a simple free but that did not happen at the vital stage of the game and while everything we were doing we were doing under pressure but again they worked so hard to create that opportunities.”

Looking ahead Glenn said “that while we are in the draw on Tuesday (All-Ireland Series) the lads are hugely disappointed; not moral victories or moral defeats.”

Asked if he had thoughts about the Tailteann Cup in recent weeks the manager replied “Of course it does, these fellas (pointing to the Kildare press present) tried to asked me that question over the last number of weeks and I tried to bat it away, but it would keep you awake at night; people say you don't think about it but of course you think about it because we are a proud county and we want to be putting ourselves in a position of competing at that level and I certainly believe that we proved that today we should certainly be competing at this level.”

Asked if would sleep tonight, the manager, with a smile on his face replied “It might be late though and I might get a bit of help.”