Kildare manager Jack O'Connor said he was happy with his team's performance but rued missed chances in the first half and the absence of key players through injury after their eight-point loss to Dublin in today's Leinster final.
Appearing in a first provincial decider since 2017, Kildare were highly competitive in the first half and should have been better than four points in arrears at the break but for some poor shooting, with numerous shots blazed wide, while several more were dropped short into Evan Comerford's arms.
Dublin, after an uneven first half display, eventually stretched away in the third quarter, Daniel Flynn's stunning individual goal arriving after the game had got beyond Kildare's reach.
"My initial thoughts are that I'm disappointed," O'Connor told RTÉ Sport after the game.
"I thought we'd opportunities, particularly in the first half. We kicked a few wides, we dropped five or six into the goalie. We could have been right there at half-time and just asked them a few more questions.
"At the end of the day, we were beaten by eight points.
"Happy enough with the performance, now. Kildare didn't throw in the towel. They fought to the bitter end. We made it awkward at times for Dublin.
"But they kept us at arm's length. Once we weren't able to get those scores in the first half, they kept us at arms length in the second half."
The Lilywhites were badly hampered by injuries to big players in the lead-up, Kevin Feely out after picking up a knee injury against Westmeath, Paul Cribbin still absent after an injury incurred in the fractious promotion victory over Meath, while Eoin Doyle, initially named in the side, failed to recover in time and was replaced by Darragh Malone before throw-in.
"The fact that we were missing two or three key players as well was a setback for us," said O'Connor.
"They're great leaders, the Paul Cribbins, the Kevin Feelys, the Eoin Doyles, they'd be great men to have today. And it would strengthen our panel and strengthen our options off the bench as well. So, a bit disappointed with that."
For O'Connor, it brought an end to a relatively progressive second year in charge, after a stagnant 2020.
"In general, we've had a good year, we're in Division 1, but that's compensation when you're beaten in a final. You play finals to win them.
"Hard to think of the future today. That's not being dismissive or anything. You go into finals, you put everything into it, you put your life on hold. The last thing you want to be thinking about is another season.
"We gave this everything, we gave this absolutely everything. We just need a bit of rest now and take our mind off it for a while."
While the game was gone beyond Kildare at that point, Flynn did briefly light up a rather sleepy second half with a terrific individual goal, stripping James McCarthy of possession, powering forward, easily brushing past the tackle of Jonny Cooper and rattling a ferocious shot into the top corner.
GOAL KILDARE
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 1, 2021
67mins DUB 0-17 KIL 1-08
Daniel Flynn has scored a great goal to give Kildare a boost heading into the final stages of the game, but Dublin still lead by six points. #RTEgaa
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""It was a great individual goal. Sure only Daniel is capable of that," acknowledges O'Connor.
"I'm just glad he's come back into the form he's capable of. Because he's had a very frustrating two years since I came up here. He seems to be enjoying his football and enjoying life at the moment and long may it continue because he's a great asset to have."
