"We got to lift silverware and I think we can grow massively from here"

Kildare boss Brian Flanagan hailed his players’ character after holding off Limerick’s brave effort yesterday to land the Tailteann Cup and secure Sam Maguire status for next season.

The Lilywhites were pushed all the way by their Treaty counterparts and kept out a last gasp goal which would’ve forced extra time at Croke Park, where it finished 1-24 to 2-19 in the end.

Speaking to RTE Sport after the final whistle, Flangan said he feels that the group can blossom hugely from yesterday’s two-point victory.

"I thought they showed an awful lot of character, drive, want to get here. I'm delighted they took care of business today,” he said.

"I think you have to build. The (RTÉ panel) referenced Down and Meath and what they've done since winning it. We fully intend doing that as well. We feel like this is the start of a journey.

"We came in with a four-year plan. Year one was absolutely to create a winning culture and for lads to feel that. We knew how important this step was today.

"I don't think we played our best stuff. We were a little bit edgy at times and passive... we didn't really throw the shackles off, certainly not quick enough, but we did enough to win. We've been criticised for not doing that in the past, not winning tight games, or maybe not seeing matches like that out.

"We did it today, we got to lift silverware and I think we can grow massively from here."