Kildare Growth Potential: Opportunities and Strategies

July 13, 2025 David Thompson Sports
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At a glance
  • "You have ⁣to build" - Kildare boss Brian Flanagan ⁤reflects on his team's Tailteann Cup success, and immediately⁢ looks ahead to the future #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/gtXvaNc5uk
Original source: rte.ie

# Kildare’s Tailteann Cup Triumph: ⁤A⁤ New⁣ Dawn for the Lilywhites

kildare have secured their return to the Sam Maguire Cup after a dominant performance in the Tailteann Cup final, marking a meaningful turning ⁤point for the⁢ county’s⁣ football aspirations. Manager Brian Flanagan hailed the victory as the culmination of a focused, four-step plan, emphasizing the team’s renewed winning culture and determination.

## From Disappointment to Determination: The Tailteann Cup Journey

The path‍ to silverware was not without its challenges. Following a disappointing loss⁣ to Louth,Kildare found themselves in the Tailteann Cup. Flanagan admitted that after the Tipperary game, the team held a crucial⁤ meeting to ⁤reset their ‍focus. “We said, ‘right lads, let’s draw a line, no ‍more feeling sorry for ourselves, no more looking back, no more talking about ⁢Leinster or Sam or any of that stuff’, that just had to be parked,” ⁢flanagan⁢ explained.

This pivotal moment galvanized the squad,‍ leading to a clear, four-step plan with an unwavering objective: to win. “We said, whatever about previous games, we would accept nothing bar winning ⁤from here on in,”‍ Flanagan stated. “The players bought into it massively. They came together in a way that I probably ⁢hadn’t seen previously.”

The‍ renewed ⁣energy was palpable. “The effort in everything we did – team sessions, video sessions, camps, the ⁢whole lot – from that⁣ point on I felt there was an⁣ energy, and there was a ⁤want, a⁤ proper focus. There was ⁣no more talk of anything else,” he added.

### A hard-Fought Victory Against Limerick

Kildare’s resilience was on full display in their hard-fought victory against limerick. Despite ⁣facing a stern challenge, the ‍Lilywhites consistently found an extra gear, with Darragh Kirwan⁣ delivering a stellar performance, contributing a significant 0-08 to the scoreboard.

Flanagan praised his team’s ⁣character and drive. “I thoght they ‍showed an awful lot of character, drive, want to get here,” he said. “I’m delighted they‍ took care of business today.”

## Building for the Future: A Foundation for Success

The Tailteann Cup triumph is viewed not as an end, but as a crucial ⁢beginning‍ for Kildare. Flanagan stressed the importance of building on ‍this success, drawing parallels with other counties who have leveraged ⁢the Tailteann ⁣Cup as a springboard.⁢ “I think⁢ you have to build. The (RTÉ panel) referenced Down and Meath and what they’ve done as winning it.⁢ We fully intend doing that as well. We‍ feel like this is the⁢ start of a ⁢journey,” he commented.The initial four-year plan prioritized⁤ the creation of a winning culture. “We came in with a four-year plan. Year one was absolutely to create ⁤a winning culture and for lads to feel that. We knew how ‍vital ⁣this step was today,” Flanagan elaborated.

While acknowledging that the team didn’t play their absolute best, ‍Flanagan highlighted ‍the crucial ‍ability‍ to secure a win even when not at their peak. “I don’t think we played our best stuff. We were a little bit edgy at times and passive… we didn’t realy throw the shackles off, certainly not⁣ fast enough, but we did enough to win. We’ve been criticised for not doing that in the ‍past, not winning tight games, or maybe not seeing matches like that out.”

The manager concluded with optimism for the ⁣future. “We did it today, we got ⁣to⁤ lift ⁤silverware and I think ⁣we can grow massively from here.”

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