Ciarán Whelan feels that Kildare manager Glenn Ryan has a valid point when saying that teams don't get "a fair crack of the whip" when they have to face Dublin in Croke Park.
The Lilies again travelled to Jones' Road to take on the Dubs in Sunday's Leinster SFC semi-final. In contrast to previous years, Kildare pushed Dessie Farrell's side all the way, only losing by two points after leading for the majority of the 70 minutes.
Speaking to GAAGO afterwards, Ryan was forthright in his views, when saying: "It's frustrating from the point of view that - I suppose everyone gives out about the Croke Park thing - but you come up here and you don't get a fair crack of the whip."
He continued: "Well, there's fellas walking up and down one side of the official and nobody can do anything down the other end. Fellas standing in my so-called box and my own officials being told to get out of it and there's somebody from the other side [in it].
"It sounds like sour grapes but I know I'm reflecting the views of most teams around the country that everything is laid out here [for Dublin], number one, from a familiarity perspective, from a games perspective and, you know, everything else seems to go their way as well.
"Sure we'll play anywhere, but you want to play anywhere when it's fair. And there wasn't anything glaring, nothing glaring.
"There were calls went either way, but when you look at stuff that goes on on the sideline and the dressing-rooms and all that, you know, it's all wrapped up in it."
Reacting to Ryan's comments, Ciarán Whelan was in general agreement, adding that playing the Leinster semis away from Croker would be worthwhile.
"I think he has a valid point," said Whelan on The Sunday Game.
"Both of those games today in provincial grounds may have created a better atmosphere. I think you have to be honest about that when you look at attendances in recent years.
"The Leinster council make that fixture and Dublin have played there for years. There is no doubt about it when you play there seven or eight times a year you are very comfortable with that environnment.
"Kildare will look at that there today as a missed opportunity because Dublin were off it; Dublin were a way off it and really only turned up for a quarter.
"Kildare set up differently than they did last year [Leinster final]. There is a massive amount of frustration from Glenn Ryan's perspective. If it was in another ground it may have given him a little bit of a better opportunity. Dublin were still comfortable going down that stretch."
Also on the programme, Whelan said that he expects Stephen Cluxton to be between the posts for the remainder of Dublin's football championship campaign, stating that "you can't leave that quality on the bench".
"You can't leave that quality on the bench..." - Ciaran Whelan believes Stephen Cluxton will remain in goal for Dublin for the championship. pic.twitter.com/h1Kr7JXV14
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 30, 2023
Cluxton made his first appearance for the Dubs since the All-Ireland win in December 2020 when lining out against Kildare in Sunday's Leinster semi-final at Croke Park.
The decision made by manager Dessie Farrell saw David O'Hanlon drop to the bench and Cluxton make his 110th championship experience.
"He brings that calmness," was Whelan's overall reaction to the veteran netminder's return.
"We know what Stephen brings to the game. It's tough on David O'Hanlon, who hadn't really put a foot wrong. There's definitely a vibe within Dublin that there is one big push left.
"Stephen is part of that plan. I know Dessie said he was only giving him one game to give him game-time. He was solid as a rock and I'd say he's proably there for the year. You can't leave that quality on the bench."
