Alan Smith got his chance to shine on Saturday and he repaid Kildare manager Jason Ryan with a match-winning return against Clare.

A late addition to the starting XV, Smith posted six points against the Banner County in Ennis as the Lilywhites booked a Round Four Qualifier date with Monaghan on Saturday week and he told The Irish Daily Star that he was determined to make his mark:

"Jason gave me an opportunity so I wanted to take it. It was 0-12 to 0-6 at one stage and we ended up kicking the last seven scores.

"Every other match we've played in this year, once we emptied the bench with Eoghan O'Flatherty and Paddy Brophy they are able to kick four or five points between them and set up a few scores.

"With a bench like that, the fitness levels are very high as well so we are always going to be there or thereabouts. As we've seen in the last couple of games, we always finish strongly.

"It's a big panel. We only have one or two injuries. Barry Solan has us flying." Tweet

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