Diane O'Hora hails defensive work after huge win over Tyrone

“We’re over the moon, delighted for everyone that was here today to support us and most of all for those players.

“They have worked for this for months, today was the first big knockout game to play and I am relieved to a point, we still have stuff to work on, as is always the case, but I am so proud of them,” the words of Kildare manager Diane O’Hora following her sides dominant quarter-final win over Tyrone.

One of the first questions on the agenda was Kildare's exemplary defensive showing as they shut down what had previously been a potent Tyrone attack.

O'Hora praised the work of her coaching staff in the lead up this game saying, “The work Con Brennan and Brian Noonan have been doing with them the last couple of weeks has been incredible. We were playing against a team we know have scored an average of 18 points a game and they only got two from frees in the first half so we are really happy with that and the clean sheet.”

Adding, “To able to cut off the key threats that we identified, it’s just absolutely brilliant that we got that result and how we got it.”

An incredible defensive display just two games on from their opening All-Ireland Championship game against Leitrim, where Kildare conceded 4-8 in a chaotic encounter. Kildare have since conceded just 0-8 in the two following games.

O'Hora said, “We lost our shape that day (against Leitrim), we forgot about what our individual roles are within the group and in the grander scheme of things.

“Do you what? It was the best thing that could have happened to us in terms of exposing weaknesses within our own set-up.

“The amount of balls we turned over today, the percentages were really high. The sharpness from these girls right now, at the right time, is special and something that we really focused on.”

The Lilies look like they are hitting stride at the best time and the Kildare boss believes the absence of league ladies football has served them well.

She said, “We have really been managing it (fatigue), because I was here last year and I saw the fatigue that set in. It was like swimming against the tide. But these players manage themselves so well, it’s a credit to them.”