Kildare's pulsating Leinster MFC victory over Dublin will give the rest of the province hope for the future, according to boss Colin Ward.
Ward's Lilywhites knocked off Dublin 2-21 to 1-19 in extra time after two smash and grab goals from Eoghan Bagnall and Aaron Browne at Pairc Tailtean on Saturday.
Luke Swan's goal did have Dublin ahead before Kildare came charging back in front, and Fionn Murray needed a free to send it to the additional period.
But the two goals sealed a five-point win for Kildare - one that Ward hopes will assist other Leinster counties in really having a go at the Dubs, up and down the age brackets.
"You'd be sick of looking at Dublin teams going up the steps collecting trophies," he told the Irish Examiner.
"That's what I said to some of the Dublin people before the game, I said 'lads will you take it handy on us today, I'm sick of looking at yee going up the steps!'
"It's nice, it gives hope to people in other counties as well, that if you work hard enough with the development teams you'll get the reward. In Kildare they do an awful lot of good work and it's coming through.
"Getting them through now from U17s to seniors is the next bit.
"But there are plenty of lads there, there's no excuses on that front."
