Wicklow minor football manager Kevin O'Brien admits that the emotions he has gone through with this group of players is far greater than he ever experienced as a player.

One of Wicklow's greatest ever players, O'Brien had huge success at club level with Baltinglass and represented his country in the International Rules series.

However, the 2018 Leinster minor football championship will live long in his memory as he guided the Garden County young guns to the provincial semi-final where it took a replay to separate themselves and Kildare.

Unfortunately for Wicklow, it was Kildare that were in front following a marathon contest and O'Brien admitted to the Wicklow People that while being proud of the players' efforts, he was gutted to lose.

"It's extreme disappointment. We've just lost a Leinster semi-final which we're not used to being in. We can look at things that happened against us but Kildare are a fine team and they'll be the better of two strong games against Meath. It's disappointing but we wish Kildare the best of luck," said O'Brien.

He added: "I'm extremely proud of the guys, my heart is broken for them because it means so much to them. In a funny way there is a bit of satisfaction in that because they are so disappointed. They gave everything, they couldn't have given any more. It's been some experience, nothing like I've experienced before."

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