Jason Ryan sees next Sunday's O'Byrne Cup final against Dublin as ideal preparation for Kildare's upcoming Allianz League campaign.

St. Conleth's Park capacity is expected to be tested to the limit for the glamour local derby clash after a crowd of over 7,500 watched Dublin's semi-final win over Meath at Pairc Tailteann yesterday.

"The players felt the best preparation for Down and Meath in our first two National League games was to have as extended a run in the O'Byrne Cup as possible and I suppose we are very different to this time last year," the Kildare manager said after his side's 12-point victory over DIT.

"This time last year the team that played in the O'Byrne Cup had to be the team that started in the championship because that was all that was fit and ready whereas now we have a lot more players available."

The Waterford man wasn't overly concerned about the Lilywhites' lack-lustre second half display after racking up 1-11 in the opening half.

"Sometimes when you're ahead by so much shape can go out the window. It was a game where there's that big a gap it develops a life of its own so I won't be losing too much sleep over it," he continued.

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