Latest news with #Qualter
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kildare's Leinster SHC clash with Galway will be special for the Qualter family
Joe McDonagh Cup final hero David Qualter says facing Galway in next year's Leinster SHC will be a particularly special moment for him and his family. Free-taker Qualter blasted 13 points at Croke Park to help Kildare secure a breakthrough tier two title win, returning them to the MacCarthy Cup race for the first time since 2004. The Maynooth clubman is the grandson of Galway great PJ Qualter who, ironically, lined out in the 1975 National League and All-Ireland finals alongside Joe McDonagh, scoring a goal in both deciders. David's father, Paul Qualter, is a Turloughmore stalwart too while his uncle, Seamus Qualter, had spells in charge of the Westmeath and Roscommon senior teams, as well as Ireland's hurling/shinty side. "My Dad is Turloughmore and growing up I would always imagine myself playing for Galway nearly when I was out on the green playing hurling with the lads," said Qualter. "That's what we're trying to be now for the young Kildare hurlers, a team to look up to and aspire to. Hopefully young lads are looking out at Cian Boran, James Burke and lads like that. We just need to give them a platform to look up to, at what they can be when they grow up. "And look, now we're in the Leinster championship ourselves and we'll be facing them (Galway). It's unreal, I can't believe it." Read More Kildare roar to Liam MacCarthy status with convincing victory over Laois Kildare will have another opportunity to promote hurling in the county when they host Dublin in an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final tie this weekend. "We'll get a big crowd into Newbridge," predicted Qualter. But it's a MacCarthy Cup fixture that few anticipated, particularly when Kildare started the McDonagh Cup campaign with a loss to Kerry. "We were in a dark place," acknowledged Qualter. "Especially after losing to Down in the league final before that, and then the loss to Kerry. I don't know if I've ever been in a worse room in my life, never mind a dressing-room, after that loss to Kerry. "But we had a chat about it and said a few realities there on the Tuesday night after that and we've just come such a long way since then." Sunday's 10-point defeat of Laois followed Kildare's 11-point win over the same opposition at the group stage last month. They beat Westmeath and Carlow along the way too. It has the appearance of an overnight success story though Qualter smiled at that misconception. "It's just absolutely savage work that's been done by people in the background and Jesus, it's something to be really proud of," he said. "That work didn't just appear after we beat Westmeath, Carlow and Laois, that work was already done even after we lost to Kerry." Qualter said that he personally felt a Joe McDonagh Cup triumph was a possibility from as far back as a couple of seasons ago. That's despite losing all of the games that they'd played in the competition in their two previous seasons in it, 2021 and 2023. "When we got relegated from it two years ago, we were in the pub the day after and we honestly said, 'We are good enough to win the Joe McDonagh'," said Qualter. "We knew we had the talent within the group but then after the loss to Kerry, look, there might have been a seed of doubt out there but between us in the dressing-room and in the panel, and the management, we knew we were going to come back."
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘It's unreal' – Kildare GAA hero ‘imagined myself playing with Galway' like iconic granddad who played with Joe McDonagh
KILDARE'S David Qualter is delighted to keep the famous family name going in the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Qualter blasted 13 points in the 2 David Qualter has carried on his family name in hurling Credit: John Sheridan/Sportsfile 2 David Qualter shot 0-13 in the Joe McDonagh Cup final against Laois Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile The Lilywhites' reward is a golden ticket back to the Leinster SHC in 2026 having not featured there since 2004. There is a more immediate Liam MacCarthy Cup fixture this Saturday with Qualter's grandfather PJ is a the 1975 National League and All-Ireland finals. He played alongside Joe McDonagh in both of those deciders. And the Maynooth forward's uncle Séamus Qualter is a former Read More on GAA David's dad Paul hurled for Turloughmore too and the Galway club sent a best wishes message ahead of Sunday's ten-point defeat of Laois. Qualter smiled: 'My dad is Turloughmore and growing up I would always imagine myself playing with Galway when I was out on the green playing hurling with the lads. 'That's what we're trying to be for the young Kildare hurlers, a team to look up to. Young hurlers are looking out now at Cian Boran, James Burke. 'We just need to give them a platform to look at what they can be. Most read in GAA Hurling 'Now we're in the Leinster Championship ourselves and we'll be facing Galway. It's unreal, I can't believe it.' Kildare will have another opportunity to promote hurling in the county this weekend when the Dubs visit the redeveloped Cedral St Conleth's Park. Brendan Cummins defends time-keeping in Munster GAA hurling final between Cork and Limerick Qualter predicted: 'We'll get a big crowd.' But it is a fixture few anticipated, particularly when Kildare started the McDonagh Cup campaign with a loss to Free-taker Qualter said: 'We were in a dark place. Especially after losing to Down in the league final. 'I don't know if I've been in a worse room in my life, never mind a dressing room , after that loss to Kerry. 'But we had a chat about it and said a few realities there on the Tuesday night after that and we've just come such a long way since then. 'Between us in the dressing room, the panel and the management, we knew we were going to come back.'
The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Kildare crowned Joe McDonagh Cup champions with victory over Laois
Updated at 16.16 Kildare 2-26 Laois 1-19 Paul Keane reports from Croke Park KILDARE HAVE capped a remarkable 12 months of hurling success with a landmark Joe McDonagh Cup title win, securing their place in the Leinster SHC for the first time since 2004. Brian Dowling's side only won the Christy Ring Cup 12 months ago and, initially at least, would have been happy to simply retain their Joe McDonagh Cup status this term. They even lost their opening group game to Kerry, their ninth defeat from nine games in the competition, but have bounced back in remarkable fashion since then to claim a historic win. Tied at half-time in their first-ever McDonagh Cup final, and fortunate to be level at that stage given the number of chances Laois wasted, Kildare cut loose after the break to beat Laois comfortably for the second time in the competition. Second-half goals from Jack Sheridan and substitute Jack Travers proved crucial, while free-taker David Qualter finished with 13 points on a famous day for the county. But it was a powerful collective performance with centre-back Cian Boran standing out in a strong defence. Kildare, who have already secured Division 1B hurling for 2026, will get an immediate chance to test themselves at the higher level next weekend when they play Dublin in an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final. Laois have at least another week to run in their campaign too, with Dublin set to visit Portlaoise in the MacCarthy Cup. Just like the Dublin footballers a week earlier on the same turf, Laois reflected on a first half of squandered chances, which cost them dearly in the end. The half-time stats made for painful reading for them: 11 wides, five point attempts that dropped short and a shot at goal that was saved. Kildare were more efficient when the ball was at the opposite Davin End and started brighter, showing no signs of anticipated nerves. It was their first final at the grade, and they were bidding to return to Leinster championship hurling for the first time since losing to Westmeath 21 years ago. But they were calm and composed and deserved their early 0-4 to 0-2 lead with Sheridan, James Burke and Qualter picking off three terrific points from play. They showed their athleticism in the 18th minute when they snuffed out a Laois goal chance and worked a speedy move up the pitch that ended with a free and a handy Qualter tap over. Free-taker Qualter finished the half with seven points to his credit and was influential in open play too. Kildare retained their two-point lead approaching the half-hour mark when they were 0-9 to 0-7 ahead. But with the Laois wides tally into double figures at that stage, the scoreline flattered the Lilywhites. Three Laois points in a row from James Keyes and free-taker Tomas Keyes amounted to a strong finish to the half from them, levelling it up at 0-11 apiece at the break. And Laois held onto that momentum with their goal coming just seconds after the restart. Paddy Purcell raced clear with the ball from the throw-in, and though his eventual shot off the turf was saved, Ben Conroy came sliding in and bundled it to the net. Advertisement Laois were desperate to kick on from there and to impose themselves on the game, but couldn't. Instead, it was Kildare that reeled off two separate bursts of three points, taking a three-point lead at the hour mark and then killing off Laois with the two goals. Travers grabbed his in the 61st minute, following up on the rebound after Sheridan's initial shot was blocked. Five minutes later, Sheridan netted himself, shrugging off a jersey pull and darting beyond Ryan Mullaney to get a low shot away that hit the net. Kildare sub Muiris Curtin pointed in the 68th minute and punched the air in delight, realising that the job was done at that stage. Kildare scorers: David Qualter 0-13 (0-11f, 0-1 65), Jack Sheridan 1-4, Jack Travers 1-1, Gerry Keegan 0-3, James Burke 0-2, Simon Leacy 0-1, Paul Dolan 0-1, Muiris Curtin 0-1. Laois scorers: Tomas Keyes 0-6 (0-5f), Ben Conroy 1-2, Padraig Delaney 0-2 (0-2f), James Keyes 0-2, Paddy Purcell 0-2, PJ Scully 0-2 (0-1f), Lee Cleere 0-1, Fiachra C Fennell 0-1, James Duggan 0-1. KILDARE 1. Paddy McKenna (Clane) 2. Richy Hogan (Naas) 3. Rian Boran (Naas – Captain) 5. Daniel O'Meara (Maynooth) 7. Paul Dolan (Eire Og Corra Choill) 6. Cian Boran (Naas) 4. Simon Leacy (Naas) 8. Daire Guerin (Naas) 10. Cathal McCabe (Maynooth) 14. Cathal Dowling (Naas) 11. Jack Sheridan (Naas) 12. David Qualter (Maynooth) 13. Darragh Melville (Leixlip) 9. James Burke (Naas) 15. Gerry Keegan (Celbridge) SUBS 17. Jack Travers (Leixlip) for Dowling (59) 21. Muiris Curtin (Moorefield) for McCabe (64) 20. Conn Kehoe (Moorefield) for Melville (69) 19. Liam O'Reilly (Naas) for Dolan (69) 22. Oisin Lynam (Celbridge) for Keegan (72) LAOIS 1. Cathal Dunne (Clough Ballacolla) 8. Fiachra C Fennell (Rosenallis) 19. Jordan Walshe (Clough Ballacolla) 2. Cody Comerford (The Harps) 6. Padraig Delaney (The Harps) 3. Lee Cleere (Clough Ballacolla) 4. Diarmaid Conway (Clough Ballacolla) 10. Aidan Corby (Clough Ballacolla) 21. James Keyes (Coillte Seanchua) 12. Paddy Purcell (Rathdowney Errill) 11. Tomas Keyes (Camross) 9. David Dooley (Rosenallis – Captain) 13. Mark Dowling (Camross) 14. Jer Quinlan (Borris-Kilcotton) 15. Ben Conroy (Sliabh Bladhma) SUBS 23. Aaron Dunphy (Borris-Kilcotton) for Tomas Keyes (54) 17. Padraic Dunne (The Harps) for Comerford (60) 24. James Duggan (The Harps) for Dowling (62) 19. Ryan Mullaney (Castletown) for Walshe (64) 25. PJ Scully (Borris-Kilcotton) for Conroy (66) Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kildare roar to Liam MacCarthy status with convincing victory over Laois
Joe McDonagh Cup final: Kildare 2-26 Laois 1-19 Just 12 months after lifting the Christy Ring Cup, Kildare have remarkably added the Joe McDonagh Cup title and will compete in the Leinster SHC in 2026. Brian Dowling's Lilywhites would have been happy to simply retain their Joe McDonagh Cup status this term, initially at least. They lost their opening group game to Kerry, their ninth defeat from nine games in the competition, but have bounced back in incredible fashion since then to claim a historic win. Tied at half-time in their first ever McDonagh Cup final, and fortunate to be level at that stage given the amount of chances favourites Laois wasted, Kildare cut loose after the break to beat Laois comfortably for the second time in the competition. Second-half goals from Jack Sheridan and substitute Jack Travers proved crucial while free-taker David Qualter finished with 13 points on a famous day for the county. But it was a powerful collective performance with centre-back Cian Boran standing out in a strong defence. Kildare, who have already secured Division 1B hurling for 2026, will get an immediate chance to test themselves at the higher level next weekend when they play Dublin in an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final. Laois, who lost last year's Joe McDonagh Cup final too, have at least another week to run in their campaign with Tipperary set to visit Portlaoise in the MacCarthy Cup. Just like the Dublin footballers a week earlier on the same turf, Laois reflected on a first-half of squandered chances which cost them dearly in the end. The half-time stats made for painful reading for them; 11 wides, five point attempts that dropped short and a shot at goal that was saved. Kildare were more efficient when the ball was at the opposite Davin End and started brighter, showing no signs of anticipated nerves. It was their first final at the grade and they were bidding to return to Leinster championship hurling for the first time since losing to Westmeath 21 years ago. But they were calm and composed and deserved their early 0-4 to 0-2 lead with Sheridan, James Burke and Qualter picking off three terrific points from play. They showed their athleticism in the 18th minute when they snuffed out a Laois goal chance and worked a speedy move up the pitch that ended with a free and a handy Qualter tap over. Free-taker Qualter finished the half with seven points to his credit and was influential in open play too. Kildare retained their two-point lead approaching the half-hour mark when they were 0-9 to 0-7 ahead. But with the Laois wides tally into double figures at that stage, the scoreline flattered the Lilywhites. Three Laois points in a row from James Keyes and free-taker Tomas Keyes amounted to a strong finish to the half from them, levelling it up at 0-11 apiece at the break. And Laois held onto that momentum with their goal coming just seconds after the restart. Paddy Purcell raced clear with the ball from the throw-in and though his eventual shot off the turf was saved, Ben Conroy came sliding in and bundled it to the net. Laois were desperate to kick on from there and to impose themselves on the game but couldn't. Instead, it was Kildare that reeled off two separate bursts of three points, taking a three-point lead at the hour mark and then killing off Laois with the two goals. Travers grabbed his in the 61st minute, following up on the rebound after Sheridan's initial shot was blocked. Five minutes later, Sheridan netted himself, shrugging off a jersey pull and darting beyond Ryan Mullaney to get a low shot away that hit the net. Kildare sub Muiris Curtin pointed in the 68th minute and punched the air in delight, realising that the job was done at that stage. Scorers for Kildare David Qualter 0-13 (0-11f, 0-1 65), Jack Sheridan 1-4, Jack Travers 1-1, Gerry Keegan 0-3, James Burke 0-2, Simon Leacy 0-1, Paul Dolan 0-1, Muiris Curtin 0-1. Scorers for Laois: Tomas Keyes 0-6 (0-5f), Ben Conroy 1-2, Padraig Delaney 0-2 (0-2f), James Keyes 0-2, Paddy Purcell 0-2, PJ Scully 0-2 (0-1f), Lee Cleere 0-1, Fiachra C Fennell 0-1, James Duggan 0-1. KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Richy Hogan, Rian Boran, Daniel O'Meara; Paul Dolan, Cian Boran, Simon Leacy; Daire Guerin, Cathal McCabe; Cathal Dowling, Jack Sheridan, David Qualter; Darragh Melville, James Burke, Gerry Keegan. Subs: Jack Travers for Dowling 59, Muiris Curtin for McCabe 64, Conn Kehoe for Melville 69, Liam O'Reilly for Dolan 69, Oisin Lynam for Keegan 72. LAOIS: Cathal Dunne; Fiachra C Fennell, Jordan Walshe, Cody Comerford; Padraig Delaney, Lee Cleere, Diarmaid Conway; Aidan Corby, James Keyes; Paddy Purcell, Tomas Keyes, David Dooley; Mark Dowling, Jer Quinlan, Ben Conroy. Subs: Aaron Dunphy for Tomas Keyes 54, Padraic Dunne for Comerford 60, James Duggan for Dowling 62, Ryan Mullaney for Walsh 64, PJ Scully for Conroy 66. Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Historic day for Kildare with maiden Joe McDonagh title
It's only a few weeks ago that Kildare began their Joe McDonagh Cup campaign with a loss to Kerry, their ninth defeat from nine games in hurling's second tier competition. Truth be told, after emerging from the Christy Ring Cup ranks in 2025, a few may have even tipped them to return to that grade. Five games later, Brian Dowling's side are McDonagh Cup champions, capping a terrific few weeks with a brilliant second-half performance at Croke Park to claim the silverware. Tied at half-time, and fortunate to be level at that stage given the amount of chances Laois wasted, Kildare cut loose after the break to beat Laois comfortably for the second time in the competition. Second-half goals from Jack Sheridan and substitute Jack Travers proved crucial while free-taker David Qualter finished with 13 points on a famous day for the county. "A day and a story for Kildare hurling..." Kildare are Joe McDonagh Cup champions for the first time following a 2-26 to 1-19 win over Laois at Croke Park. #RTEgaa 📺Watch LIVE on RTÉ2 🎙️ Listen on RTÉ Radio 1 📱 Follow on — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 8, 2025 But it was a powerful collective performance with centre-back Cian Boran standing out in a strong defence. Kildare, who have already secured Division 1B hurling for 2026, will get an immediate chance to test themselves at the higher level next weekend when they play Tipperary in an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final. Laois have at least another week to run in their campaign too with Dublin set to visit Portlaoise in the MacCarthy Cup. Just like the Dublin footballers a week earlier on the same turf, Laois reflected on a first-half of squandered chances which cost them dearly in the end. The half-time stats made for painful reading for them; 11 wides, five point attempts that dropped short and a shot at goal that was saved. Kildare were more efficient when the ball was at the opposite Davin End and starter brighter, showing no signs of anticipated nerves. It was their first final at the grade and they were bidding to return to Leinster championship hurling for the first time since losing to Westmeath 21 years ago. But they were calm and composed and deserved their early 0-04 to 0-02 lead with Sheridan, James Burke and Qualter picking off three terrific points from play. They showed their athleticism in the 18th minute when they snuffed out a Laois goal chance and worked a speedy move up the pitch that ended with a free and a handy Qualter tap over. Free-taker Qualter finished the half with seven points to his credit and was influential in open play too. Kildare retained their two-point lead approaching the half-hour mark when they were 0-09 to 0-07 ahead. But with the Laois wides tally into double figures at that stage, the scoreline flattered the Lilywhites. Three Laois points in a row from James Keyes and free-taker Tomas Keyes amounted to a strong finish to the half from them, levelling it up at 0-11 apiece at the break. And Laois held onto that momentum with their goal coming just seconds after the restart. Paddy Purcell raced clear with the ball from the throw-in and though his eventual shot off the turf was saved, Ben Conroy came sliding in and bundled it to the net. The perfect start to the second half for Laois. Ben Conroy forces home from close range for the game's first goal. Kildare 0-11 Laois 1-11 #RTEgaa 📺Watch LIVE on RTÉ2 🎙️ Listen on RTÉ Radio 1 📱 Follow on — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 8, 2025 Laois were desperate to kick on from there and to impose themselves on the game but couldn't. Instead, it was Kildare that reeled off two separate bursts of three points, taking a three-point lead at the hour mark and then killing off Laois with the two goals. Travers grabbed his in the 61st minute, following up on the rebound after Sheridan's initial shot was blocked. "It's put in the back of the net by the man whose only just come on!" Jack Travers goals with his first touch and Kildare have one hand on the Joe McDonagh Cup. Kildare 1-21 Laois 1-15 #RTEgaa 📺Watch LIVE on RTÉ2 🎙️ Listen on RTÉ Radio 1 📱 Follow on — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 8, 2025 Five minutes later, Sheridan netted himself, shrugging off a jersey pull and darting beyond Ryan Mullaney to get a low shot away that hit the net. Kildare sub Muiris Curtin pointed in the 68th minute and punched the air in delight, realising that the job was done at that stage. Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Richy Hogan, Rian Boran, Daniel O'Meara; Paul Dolan (0-01), Cian Boran, Simon Leacy (0-01); Daire Guerin, Cathal McCabe; Cathal Dowling, Jack Sheridan (1-04), David Qualter (0-13, 0-11f, 0-01 65); Darragh Melville, James Burke (0-02), Gerry Keegan (0-03). Subs: Jack Travers (1-01) for Dowling 59, Muiris Curtin (0-01) for McCabe 64, Conn Kehoe for Melville 69, Liam O'Reilly for Dolan 69, Oisin Lynam for Keegan 72. Laois: Cathal Dunne; Fiachra C Fennell (0-01), Jordan Walshe, Cody Comerford; Padraig Delaney (0-02, 0-02f), Lee Cleere (0-01), Diarmaid Conway; Aidan Corby, James Keyes (0-02); Paddy Purcell (0-02), Tomas Keyes (0-06, 0-05f), David Dooley; Mark Dowling, Jer Quinlan, Ben Conroy (1-02). Subs: Aaron Dunphy for Tomas Keyes 54, Padraic Dunne for Comerford 60, James Duggan (0-01) for Dowling 62, Ryan Mullaney for Walsh 64, PJ Scully (0-02, 0-01f) for Conroy 66.
