Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney has urged the Kildare management team to "ignore the noise" after his side recorded a 2-16 to 0-8 victory in Dr Cullen Park Carlow.
Goals from Conor Turbitt and Rory Grugan in the opening 20 minutes of the game set up the platform for a comprehensive win.
8 nóim #KILvARM@KildareGAA 0-00@Armagh_GAA 1-02
Cúl! Botún déanta ag Cill Dara agus Turbitt leis an gcríoch isteach sa líontán! 👀
Armagh capitalise on sloppy Kildare play and Conor Turbitt finishes to the back of the net.
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺#AllianzLeagues #GAABeo pic.twitter.com/0U5TuPwwNy— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 18, 2024
This result does not help Lilywhites boss Glenn Ryan as his side is in danger of playing Tailteann Cup football this summer; on the field, pressure isn’t helped by the comments recently made by their Chairman in the past fortnight.
McGeeney, who previously managed Kildare between 2009 and 2013, was full of sympathy for the management team.
"It's tough on Kildare. It's hard for me, I still have a lot of love for Kildare," McGeeney told RTÉ Sport after the game.
"Lot of friends on the sideline there and I know they're getting a lot of noise. I've been there and I was probably only one game away from it myself.
"You wouldn't meet any better men for Kildare than Johnny (Doyle) and Glenn (Ryan) and (Anthony) Rainbow and Ronan (Sweeney) and those sorts of fellas.
"It's just one of those days when you're on the receiving end of it. I've been there myself. Hopefully, they'll stick at it and push on.”
READ MORE: Glenn Ryan Rows With Local Reporters Over Chairman's Comments As Kildare Lose Again
McGeeney's advice for Ryan
McGeeney did offer some advice for Ryan, who is in his first inter-county gig, which was to block out the noise. He believes they are the right men for the job.
"One thing you learn early in inter-county football is to ignore the noise. You can't do much about it. Everyone has great plans when they're on the sideline. And very few when they're on the pitch,” McGeeney said.
"Every fan has the right to an opinion. And that's part of the game. We love to talk and everything else. But sometimes it gets very personal.
"If they can find me four men that have given more to the Lillywhites, I'd like to see them."
