Celbridge football manager David Clare says he hopes the club’s inter-county players change their mind about quitting the Kildare panel.

Reports emerged yesterday that the players could be set to withdraw from Jack O’Connor’s squad after being incensed by the performance of referee Henry Barrett during Celbridge’s Kildare SFC semi-final loss to Moorefield last Saturday.

Their county representation includes Mick O’Grady, Kevin Flynn, Paddy Brophy and Fergal Conway.

Speaking to RTE Sport yesterday, Clare was still raw about the loss to Moorefield but said he also hopeful that Celbridge’s county contingent would return with the inter-county season set to resume in a matter of weeks.

"I have been involved in football a long time and I have never seen anything like it. It’s a year’s work gone,” said the Celbridge boss.

"I have tried to speak to the lads to reconsider. As far as I’m aware Mick O’Grady is going back in, he’s part of the leadership team with Kildare and I hope the other three lads, given a bit of time, will also go back in with him. 

"They only have a certain time as an inter-county footballer. What happened on Saturday, I don’t think the whole county should be held accountable for it." 

He added: "These are not decisions that are taken easily. I hope it is just a knee-jerk decision and bridges can be mended." 

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