Posted online: Aug 28th, 2010

By Darragh Dunican
Sports Editor

KILDARE SELECTOR NIALL Carew revealed that the four week break his side has had to prepare for Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final clash against Down could not have come at a better time.
Following a first round Leinster championship defeat to Louth, Kildare bounced back and came through the qualifier route in sensational fashion. The Shortgrass County played an amazing six games in as many weeks, culminating in a brilliant performance against Meath in the quarter-finals, yet Carew admitted that it would have proved very difficult to sustain that momentum for another week.
“The break came at the right time for us I suppose,” stated the St. Kevin’s man.
“I think if we had to play the following week, no matter who we were playing, we would have been beaten. The limbs were just about to give in I think.
“At least nine of the team that started against Meath had to rest for a good four or five days after the Meath game. That was down to playing six championship games in a row so the break couldn’t have come at a better time for us.
If you looked close at us, we were quite tired. I know we finished strong but, in parts of the Meath game, we looked tired. Our middle eight, the likes of Eamonn Callaghan and Daryl Flynn, you could see that is was getting a bit too much for them. They took a lot of knocks in the Monaghan and the Meath games so the break was welcomed.”
Carew also believes that Kildare has0 a slight advantage on Down due to the fact that the current Kildare management team have had three years to shape and mould a team, in stark contrast to James McCartan who only took the reigns of the Mournemen at the beginning of this year.
“I would like to think we have an advantage on Down,” he continued.
“We have put in three years of hard work and I think we have built a team. The majority of our panel have been working away for the last three years so I think we have an advantage both mentally and physically. But anything can happen on the day and it comes down to a game of inches. It really is who wants it more on the day.”
The two sides already met competitively this season, a first round National Football League Division 2 encounter in February, when Down inflicted a heavy 11 point defeat on Kildare.
“This game gives us a great chance for redemption,“ remarked Carew.
“It was our first league game, there was a big crowd in Newbridge, and the players expected to give a better account of themselves that day. But, right now, I think we have eight different individuals starting so it will be a totally different game next Sunday. It’s a different Kildare now but, in the backs of our minds, we will be hoping to avenge that defeat.
“It’s not often you get a chance to redeem yourself. We had to wait 16 months to play Wicklow, so Sunday gives us a great chance to put certain things right.
“But we will have to watch out for the likes of Benny Coulter and Martin Clarke, no doubt about that. Down have a lot of pace in their team and, if you let them run at you, then you will be in trouble.
“They have a blanket defence and I’d expect them to be dragging everyone back. It’s important we get early ball into our forwards. We will have to watch their counter-attacks as they break very fast. They are a dangerous all over the field. We will be attempting to nullify them and put our own stamp on the game.”
On the injury front, Kildare have just one major concern at present in Dermot Earley. The 2009 All-Star midfielder is likely to make the substitutes bench as he attempts to recover from an ongoing knee problem.
“Dermot is going okay at the minute and we will be giving him every chance to make it,” commented Carew.