McGeeney - Kildare wides not a concern

by Rory Houston - @RTESundayGame

Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney has dismissed fears over the number of wides his side have notched up ahead of their crunch Leinster Football Championship semi-final with Dublin.

McGeeney’s team have hit a total of 0-26 in their two games so far this year but they have also spurned several opportunities in front of goal, and amassed 18 wides during their win over Meath last time out.

Speaking at a press conference in Newbridge this morning, McGeeney said: 'I don't really mind as long as we're taking the shots. You are just trying to keep them to as low a score as possible and get us to as high a score as possible. If it takes 40 shots to get 20 scores I’m happy enough with that.

'As long as we score more than the opponent, I'm happy. If we hit 18 wides against Dublin and win by a point, I'll be the happiest man in there.

'You try to improve in every aspect of it. Again people will talk about it and mention the score thing. We've had the second highest scoring forward line in the last two years in the Championship.'

Kildare have impressed in the wins over Wicklow and the Royals, again showing the high level of fitness and courageous brand of football that got them to last year’s All-Ireland semi-finals.

But Dublin will provide a massive test and McGeeney knows that the 26 June meeting represents a big step up in class.

'It’s Championship. As you go on in the rounds, everything steps up. It’s a big challenge for Kildare to step up to but the boys are looking forward to it.

'Pat (Gilroy) has come in and made a lot of good changes to their set-up. They stick to the system quite rigidly. They've gone from also-rans to being up there with the best.

'They don't have many weaknesses to the structure. They've been trying to break into that elite group at the top and they've been close enough the last few years so they are probably hoping this year will be their year.'

'The goal at the minute is to play Dublin and beat them. I wouldn’t look any further than that. We can’t as a unit. We take each game as it comes.

'We’re trying to instil belief that you can to a place that, when you’re not playing at your best, you can still win like a lot of the top teams do. We just take one game at a time and play it like that. Once you look beyond that you can trip up.'

Despite having already tasted success at Headquarters this year against Meath, the clash with the Dubs offers a very different experience with a large number of home fans expected in Croke Park and an intimidating atmosphere for Kildare.

McGeeney acknowledges it is a significant factor in the game but he is hoping his key players will rise to the challenge.

'It’s their home ground. From players outside of Dublin, it’s a big day to play in Croke Park. It can give you a bit of anxiety when it’s a big day and none of the Dublin players will feel that.

'With that in itself we will probably need a few extra scores but you hope then that, for teams outside it, that it is where you want to play football and that some of your big players step up.'