Newly-appointed Kildare senior football manager Brian Flanagan has revealed that he won’t be holding trials to identify new talent.

Flanagan is already familiar with many of the county’s rising stars after managing them at U20 level – he guided the Lilywhites to All-Ireland glory last year – while his selectors Damien Hendy and Daryl Flynn also have a strong insight into the local scene.

“The reason is time is of the essence with the condensed season and everything else, but also as a management we would feel we have a good handle on what’s happening out there,” the Johnstownbridge clubman explained when addressing the local media this week.

“Damien has been involved with the minors the last couple of years and they won the Paul McGirr Cup this year and knows what’s coming through in that age bracket. I’ve been involved with the U20s for three years, I know those lads of 21, 22 and 23.

“Daryl is involved in the club scene and is currently a selector with Moorefield. And again, all three of us would have a very close eye on the club championships at all times. We’ve been able to get to as many club games as we can, across junior, intermediate and senior. We’ll continue to do that for the next month.

“I think the greatest trial a player can have is for your club. You play against your peers, you play when it’s all on the line now in the next few weeks in quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals. That is the trial. That is the judgement of players against each other."

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