Kildare stalwart John Doyle is receiving some rough-house treatment in this year’s Championship, according to manager Kieran McGeeney.
McGeeney, who was speaking following the Lillies’ victory over Derry in Saturday’s fourth round qualifier, moved Doyle from midfield to corner-forward and blamed the treatment of the player for the decision. Rob Kelly deputised for Doyle in the midfield berth.
McGeeney said: “Johnny was coming in for a lot of attention again, for the third game on the trot.
He added in the Examiner: “The linesman didn’t seem to see it the way that we did. Rob is a big lad, more physical, robust and is probably able to put up with those types of challenges out there.
“We took a chance and he made a big difference. Derry have big men.
“You don’t see them looking for handy frees. They will go in hard and it just probably suited Rob a wee bit more than Johnny.”
McGeeney acknowledged the pressure on Derry given that the game was played just six days after their defeat to Donegal in the Ulster final.
He said: “It’s hard in terms of the six-day turnaround, it is wrong. It should be aimed at one person.
“They should aim it at the people who are making the decision.”