Changes aplenty in store for County

Good to hear we are going to have a strong local based u21 team next season.



WHAT a strange night Sunday was. Amongst all the relaxed excitement, something more was happening. The all-weather Kildare County fans watched and knew.

They suddenly understood the real cost of missing out on promotion. They gulped down their pride, as they realised a number of their heroes would be on their way to arch rivals Dublin City, who would be playing in the Premier Division next year, having annexed the Division 1 title.

The first to be signed by former Thoroughbreds assistant manager, John Gill, was County's top scorer Phillip Hughes (22), the man who forged such a successful partnership with Barry O'Connor, in the process netting 10 times.

The next departure will be equally significant, captain Ben Whelehan (24), whose importance was severely emphasised in the closing moments of a season that fell away so badly.

The third participant in the exodus is Supporter's Club Player of the Year, Ray Scully (22).

The enormity of these losses is evidenced by the reaction of Vikings boss, Gill, to the trio's recruitement.

"I'm delighted with the signings of Hughes, Whelehan and Scully. They're excellent players and good acquisitions for the club."

The latest blow was the breaking news that cultured central defender, Alan Keely would not be renewing his contract with the club.

"It has nothing to do with money or anything like that", club director, Michael Casey said this week. "The player has made up his mind that he wishes to move to a Premier Division club, so there is very little we can do but wish him all the best in the future."

However, there isn't complete doom and gloom. Some seasonal cheer was restored with the news that appearance record holder and as of last Sunday night, Club Player of the Year, Damien Brennan, seems likely to remain at Station Road for at least another year.

If he does, he will be joined by the likes of Danny O'Leary, Shay Zeller, Alan McNevin, Alan Kelly, Marc Kenny, Gareth Cronin, Tadhg Murphy and Peter Rogers who have all pledged there allegiance to the Thoroughbreds, while Ray Kenny has another year remaining on his contract.

There are a number of new faces too. Andrew and Alan Dowling, who both featured against the Lilywhites, have been brought on board having played so well with the KDFL Oscar Traynor team.

Also entering the fray are 20-year old Alan Byrne, a tough tackling midfielder, and 21-year old utility player, Alan King, both of whom featured against County whilst playing for Monaghan in the past year.

Casey went on to say that fans can expect to see more players join the current squad but there is no rush at present.

"Obviously we've lost a few very talented players and we are sorry to see them go, they've given great service to the club. But with the troubles of Premier League clubs we believe there will be quite a few players released before the start of the 2004 campaign.

"Also, if clubs are signing players from us it will inevitably mean they will have to release some of their current playing staff, so we will look at who's available in due course."

In other news coming from the Newbridge-based side, the KDFL Oscar Traynor Cup team may be used to represent County at U-21 level next season.

"We will be discussing the matter amongst ourselves next week and with U-21 manager Eddie Moen", Casey says. "Last season things didn't go so well on that front, possibly because we were concentrating too much on senior affairs.

"But during the off-season the structure will be put in place for a proper U-21 set up and we expect a lot of the current squad on the Kildare League Development Squad will be brought in, but there will be no definite decision until next week.

"However, that is the big plan and the way to move forward I believe."