'There is a lot of noise that is hard to block out' - Philly McMahon ahead of Kildare SFC Final
Dublin GAA legend and current Naas manager Philly McMahon spoke to the Leinster Leader ahead of the Kildare SFC between Naas and Athy
The multi-winning former Dublin player hardly needs any introduction, Philly McMahon's achievements include eight All Irelands, two All-Stars, two County Senior Championships, a Leinster Club, and he also represented at Ireland International rules.
Oh yeah, and the holder of two yellow cards, from over zealous sideline officials, picked up on the sideline since joining Naas as manager a few short months ago.
McMahon said he felt that it was the respect Naas had for Celbridge that drove his side on to the performance that day.
“The level of preparation, we know now, was very good, happy for the lads, it is not easy, there is a lot of noise that is hard to block out, all the talk of five-in-a-row but the lads are simply concentrating on the day and winning this game.”
The manager had particular praise for Paddy McDermott who put in a man-of-the-match display saying “he has been brilliant for us throughout this championship, probably been hurt not playing as much as he could with Kildare and we are reaping the rewards of that hurt, and long may that last” said the smiling and happy manager.
The former Dublin defender said he felt his side did very well particularly around the middle third, “Paulie (McDermott) driving forward and Fintan (Quinn) a big target man in the middle, was massive for us.”
The fact that Naas only defeated Celbridge by a point, last year and two the previous year, the manager said “I'm hearing that but while people outside of Kildare say how Naas have dominated over the past few years but it has been tight, this year is different, I'm only new here so I don't have that sense of winning the last four, but this is a new game, new rules.”
On controlling all the talk now of five-in-a-row, McMahon said “the lads are brilliant with it, their language is very good, their focus and their intentions takes any noise from outside of the group, people will talk about winning, winning winning, these lads talk solely about performing, performing, performing.”