Lilywhites still Flynn top shape
VETERAN Kildare defender Peter Kelly insists it’s not all doom and gloom despite Daniel Flynn’s departure.
Powerful attacker Flynn has been left out of boss Cian O’neill’s 39-man panel for 2019 ahead of the O’byrne Cup.
The EX-AFL player is taking a year out to study and travel while Niall Kelly has dropped out too.
Back-to-back All-star nominee Flynn is rated among the best attackers in the game though Kelly is confident they can replace him.
O’neill has named 10 of the team that lined out in last August’s All-ireland under-20 final win over Mayo including under-20 Player of the Year Jimmy Hyland.
Kelly, who’ll play for Two Mile House in the AIB Leinster club IFC final on Saturday, said: “I haven’t been in with the Kildare guys yet but from what I hear Daniel is stepping away for the year for whatever reason. I haven’t actually been talking to Dan about it but he obviously has his reasons for it.
“He’s a loss but you have seven or eight under-20s coming in from last year. Hopefully they can fill the void.”
Flynn was part of the Kildare side that scored a famous win over Mayo in the qualifiers in Newbridge before taking out Fermanagh to reach the Super 8s.
Kelly is optimistic about 2019 and said that while Dublin cast a giant shadow, Kildare have the talent to take on the very best.
He said: “We have incredibly talented footballers. There’s nothing lacking man-for-man, talent wise. I think it’s just mentality.”