'Philly has been brilliant' - Naas captain Eoin Doyle praises new boss ahead of Kildare SFC Final

First year without playing for Kildare in some thirteen years, Eoin Doyle leads Naas into their fifth senior final in a row on Sunday, his fourth consecutive time as captain (Eamonn Callaghan had that honour in 2021) but little has changed with the stalwart defender, his passion, his hunger, his desire are burning as bright as ever.

He had an outstanding game in the semi-final against Celbridge, and while he was forced off mid-way through the second half of that game (“not a problem just a bad bang”) he is fit and well for what he describes as a big game against a very strong Athy side.

Looking back at the win over Celbridge, Eoin says they were expecting a big battle and it certainly came.
“We pulled away in the second half, which was positive, very happy with that, but not dwelling on it.

"Concentrating on club action after a stellar county career, Eoin says he is enjoying it “it was no big decision for me, stepping away, it was a natural ending; it has been an enjoyable year, a different year, takes a bit of time to get use to but absolutely enjoying it.”

Eoin, of course, along with Eamonn Callaghan took charge back in 2021 when Paul Kelly departed; in comes Joe Murphy, three more titles; he departs and in comes a man of the stature of Philly McMahon, how are you finding him?

“Philly has been brilliant for us along with the lads he has around him, like any bit of a change there is always a bit of freshness, the lads have reacted well to him and what he wants to do and the manner he goes about things, he has been very good to us so far but there are no guarantees that you win any game or any competition, that is down to the players and we are driving that as best we can, but yes, Philly has been positive and refreshing.”

The former Dublin star comes across as a deep thinker of the game, would you agree?
“Absolutely and he cares about the game, he is into all aspects of the game and performance of the game, not unusual for managers and coaches in the modern game, that level of attention is a given in this day and age.”

A good year, another Leinster Leader Cup but then losing to Sarsfields in the final group game, was that a case of taking the eye off-the-ball?

“We certainly did not take the eye off-the-ball, we prepared well for it so it was a set-back, we lost the game, no hullabaloo, we went back to training, worked hard and that was it, we lost because the team we played that day preformed better than us, simple as that; and next week if Athy play better than us they will win the game, that is really the simplicity of football.”

On Athy Eoin says “they have been impressive all year, we played them in the league they beat us convincingly, they are very athletic, powerful squad, with quality all over the place; they are experienced both at club and the many county lads they have, many of those lads have played, and won, county finals, so a really strong side and we will have to be at our best to get over them.

“Apart from finals Athy have played in semi-finals, have had near misses, county experience, tasted success in Tailteann Cup, that all adds up in the mindset, they have some excellent good young players, excellent lads.”

Naas will be without James Burke, a big loss says Eoin, but unfortunately “that is the nature of sport, and it gives a chance to a few of the younger lads, who thankfully have stepped up; every single game takes on a direction and a life of its own and it is up to us to try and adapt and manoeuvre to be on the right side of it.”

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