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Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Kildare deliver breathless second-half display to clinch Joe McDonagh Cup and set up date with the Dubs
Joe McHugh Cup final: Kildare 2-26 Laois 1-19 The highs and lows of hurling. Only seven weeks ago, Brian Dowling questioned his ability as a manager after Kildare's Joe McDonagh Cup round one defeat to Kerry . They had been desperate for a win to end their awful record in the competition but slipped to a ninth defeat in nine games across three campaigns. Now, Kerry are coming to terms with relegation while Kildare are the champions. A remarkable mid-season turnaround was capped with a terrific final performance at Croke Park. In truth, Kildare were fortunate to be level with Laois at half-time, 0-11 to 0-11, considering all the chances the O'Moore County failed to take. READ MORE When Ben Conroy bundled home a Laois goal seconds after the restart, leaving the 2024 runners-up three points ahead and with momentum on their side, it looked ominous. Kildare's response, just like that turnaround after the Kerry game, was very impressive. From there, they outscored the favourites by 2-15 to 0-8 to win by a 10-point margin. Jack Sheridan celebrates after scoring Kildare's second goal. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho Substitute Jack Travers and Jack Sheridan grabbed the goals, while free-taker David Qualter finished with 0-13. But it was one giant collective effort from a team that appeared noticeably fitter as the game wore on. Cian Boran stood tall at the centre of a brilliant defensive effort. Kildare will host Dublin in an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final next weekend, while Laois, beaten in the final for the second year in a row, will play Tipperary. All of which seemed highly unlikely after that Kildare loss to Kerry. 'That was one of the worst dressingrooms I've ever been in,' said Dowling. 'I didn't know what to say to the lads. It was hard to say anything. I questioned my own ability as a manager, you know. [You're thinking] where do you go from here? What do you do?' I don't know how many times we went wide on the near post; it definitely hurt us — Tommy Fitzgerald Kildare met up on the Tuesday evening afterwards, traded 'a few home truths between ourselves, as players and management' and resolved to do better. Five wins later, they have achieved something special. Next year, they will compete in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship for the first time since 2004. That will take Dowling, a former Kilkenny senior player and county camogie manager, into direct opposition with his own county. 'I definitely didn't think of that when I took on the job,' he said with a shrug. Kildare's Rian Boran in action with Fiachra C Fennell of Laois. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Laois will despair at back-to-back final defeats. They will inevitably focus on their wasteful first half when they hit 11 wides, dropped five score attempts short and had a shot at goal saved. It left them on level terms with Kildare when they should have been well ahead. 'I don't know how many times we went wide on the near post; it definitely hurt us,' said Laois manager Tommy Fitzgerald. The Conroy goal straight off the second-half throw-in, following a great run by Paddy Purcell, left Laois three clear and presented an opportunity to impose their authority. [ Cork prove sky's the limit after conquering Munster with display of ferocious intensity Opens in new window ] But they were outplayed and outfought from there on by a well coached and ravenous Kildare team that produced a stunning second half. Travers's first goal summed up Kildare's desire as Darragh Melville furiously turned over a Laois defender and passed to Sheridan, whose shot was blocked out to Travers to strike home. Sheridan grabbed the second goal himself, shrugging off a jersey pull and darting beyond Ryan Mullaney before rifling low to the net. KILDARE: P McKenna; R Hogan, R Boran, D O'Meara; P Dolan (0-1), C Boran, S Leacy (0-1); D Guerin, C McCabe; C Dowling, J Sheridan (1-4), D Qualter (0-13, 11f, 1 65); D Melville, J Burke (0-2), G Keegan (0-3). Subs: J Travers (1-1) for Dowling (59 mins); M Curtin (0-1) for McCabe (64); C Kehoe for Melville, L O'Reilly for Dolan (both 69); O Lynam for Keegan (72). LAOIS: C Dunne; F C Fennell (0-1), J Walshe, C Comerford; P Delaney (0-2, 2f), L Cleere (0-1), D Conway; A Corby, J Keyes (0-2); P Purcell (0-2), T Keyes (0-6, 5f), D Dooley; M Dowling, J Quinlan, B Conroy (1-2). Subs: A Dunphy for T Keyes (54 mins); P Dunne for Comerford (60); J Duggan (0-1) for Dowling (62); R Mullaney for Walsh (64); PJ Scully (0-2, 1f) for Conroy (66). Referee: M Kennedy (Tipperary).
The 42
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Kildare reach first Joe McDonagh decider as Laois save their season with final puck of the ball
Kildare 1-26 Down 1-14 KILDARE OVERCAME THEIR league final conquerors Down at Cedral St Conleth's Park to reach their first ever Joe McDonagh Cup final, booking a meeting with Laois. Kildare, last year's Christy Ring Cup champions, overcame a nervy start in Newbridge to emerge with 12 points to spare over the Ulster side, who stayed up at Kerry's expense on the head-to-head rule. The Lilywhites entered the game on the back of consecutive wins over Westmeath, Carlow and Laois, and star man David Qualter was again to the fore with 1-13 (12 frees, one 65′), his first-half goal steering Kildare into a 1-14 to 0-7 half-time advantage. Kildare stretched their advantage to 15 early in the fourth quarter, with Down replacement Shea Pucci raising a green flag late on for the Mourne men. Read a full report here Carlow 2-17 Laois 1-20 THE MAGIC OF THE JOE MCDONAGH CUP! 🪄 Pandemonium as @CLGLaois save their season and reach the Joe McDonagh Cup final with the last puck of the ball! 🔵⚪ A draw has secured second place in the table ahead of Carlow on score difference!🤯 Watch the FULL game back on… — Clubber (@clubber) May 24, 2025 Advertisement There was injury-time madness, meanwhile, at Netwatch Cullen Park, as Laois' James Duggan flicked the ball into Carlow's net with their puck of a ball to send the visitors into the Joe McDonagh Cup final at their hosts' expense. Laois saved their season in the most dramatic circumstances imaginable: they needed a draw or a victory to reach the decider, and they trailed Carlow by three points with the three allotted minutes of added time having already elapsed. However, Padraig Delaney's 65′ was allowed to be taken, with his inch-perfect delivery deflected into the net by Duggan to spark wild scenes. The final whistle sounded as Carlow keeper Brian Tracey took the puckout, breaking home hearts and sending Laois' panel and travelling fans into ecstasy. Read a full report here Kerry 1-14 Westmeath 2-28 Kerry were relegated from the Joe McDonagh Cup while Westmeath retained their status by earning the necessary victory at Austin Stack Park. Killian Doyle recorded 15 points — six of them from play — as the Leinster county secured safety and ended Kerry's 10-year crack at the McDonagh Cup. Read a full report here
