Kildare manager "immensely proud" of her squad following Leinster Championship win
“I am absolutely thrilled. It’s great to get the second one in a row, that’s been a huge thing for us. We are so delighted with the effort and the attitude of the team and all the supporters that came today,” the words of Kildare manager Diane O’Hora following her side’s Leinster Intermediate Championship win.
“The first few minutes of the second half finished the game to an extent but we still had a long way to go and a few things to look at. We left it for long periods where we didn’t get any score at all but I am just immensely proud of the panel. Every single person adds huge value and pushes everyone else for places on that panel.”
Kildare maintained far more control in this game compared to their most recent exchange with Wexford but the Kildare boss said there was no relaxing against the resilient and threatening Yellowbellies.
“You’re never in control against this Wexford side, they fight to the bitter end and they are a brilliant goal-scoring team and they created opportunities. So we had to maintain and hold our defensive shape the whole way through,” O'Hora explained.
The Kildare boss was quick to follow that with praise of the in-game management of her own side who closed out this game to great effect.
She said, “They know what they’re about and how they go about doing their business. They know how to transition the ball and make good decisions. There is very little interference from us (on the sideline).”
The media questions naturally shifted to standout performances in this final and the first name mentioned was Lauren Burke following her incredible display. Before the questions regarding the Naas woman was finished, the Kildare boss began to sing the praises of her corner-back.
O'Hora said, “Oh my god, what a game. I’m excited even by the thoughts of it. If I have ever seen a corner-back perform absolutely out of their skin that is the epitome of it today. Kildare has always been known, even before I came here, as a great forward side, lovely shooters of the ball with amazing strikes and skills.
“But to have a defender in there who would put her head where many wouldn’t put a steel-toe capped boot, I am just so proud of her. I know Róisín Byrne, who was absolutely brilliant, got player of the match but she (Lauren Burke) was insanely brilliant today.
Adding “I am so proud of her and every single one of them.”