Monaghan face into the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final to a resurgent Kildare.
Kevin Feely’s last gasp point last weekend, saw Kildare beat Roscommon and take the runner-up spot in group three.
“I wouldn't be sleeping in on this Kildare side now” explained Dublin legend Diarmuid Connolly. “If they can hit form, they've got firepower up front”.
“Guys like Kevin Feely, Neil Flynn and Daniel Flynn would get into most teams in the country and that says a lot about these guys”.
“They're very athletic and two of them were in Australia playing Aussie Rules, so they know how to play football. They put it up to Roscommon and Kevin Feely deserves a call out for that mark and catch and the one off his left foot to win it”.
“The guy had played 70-odd minutes at midfield and with no angle, curls it over the bar to win the game”.
“It was the clutch moment of the weekend. What a score and what a result for Kildare. It means they have a home draw now and it looks positive for them.”
With Newbridge unavailable, Kildare used Nolan Park as their home venue in the defeat to Dublin. However last week’s victory over Roscommon in O’Connor Park saw them nominate this venue for Monaghan.
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Monaghan boss Vinny Corey has made one change to the team that started the defeat to Donegal. Shane Carey comes in at corner forward for Darren Hughes.
Hughes would be expected to play some part in the farney’s approach.
Glen Ryan has made three changes to the Kildare side. Mick O’Grady, Aaron Masterson and Paddy Woodgate all start. Kevin Feely makes way, but no doubt will be sprung from the bench.
Kildare: Mark Donnellan, Mick O'Grady, Shea Ryan, Eoin Doyle, David Hyland, Kevin Flynn, Jack Sargent, Kevin O'Callaghan, Aaron Masterson, Paddy McDermott, Ben McCormack, Alex Beirne, Neil Flynn, Darragh Kirwan, Paddy Woodgate
Monaghan: Rory Beggan, Ryan O'Toole, Kieran Duffy, Ryan Wylie, Karl O Connell, Conor Boyle, Conor McCarthy, Karl Gallagher, Killian Lavelle, Stephen O’Hanlon, Michael Bannigan, Ryan McAnespie, Jack McCarron, Gary Mohan, Shane Carey.
Diarmuid Connolly was speaking to BoyleSports.
