DUO LEAVING MARK ON LILYWHITES.

Byline: By ORLA BANNON

JOHN DOYLE claims Kieran McGeeney and Paul Grimley are starting to leave their imprint on Kildare - but not in the way people think.

When the Armagh duo arrived to take over the reins last year the lazy perception was that the Lilywhites were about to 'bulk up'.

Doyle smiled: "I think a lot of people assumed that when Paul and Kieran came to us that Kildare were going to get into the gym pumping weights and that we were going to be a big physical team but that's not the case".

"We play our own brand of football. In fairness to the lads they've probably instilled a bit of belief in us over the last year and a half.

"The most important thing with the U21s coming on from last year is that we're building a bit of a panel there together. If you're going to be making any in-roads you need to have a bit of strength in depth and I think we have that for the first time in a good number of years now."

Sunday will be a day of mixed emotions for McGeeney and Grimley as they host their native county in Newbridge.

For 'Geezer', who captained Armagh to the 2002 All-Ireland title, it will be a strange feeling but Doyle insists the player will get on with the business of trying to winning another league game.

"There will be a little bit of extra hype around this week but that'll happen one way or the other.

"We just have to be sure that we have our own house in order and when we go out we perform well."

"It's an old cliche talking about one game at a time but we're trying to build and win every game we go out to play in. If we get promoted well and good but we're looking to perform in every game we play."

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PERCEPTIONS John Doyle