How Kildare turned their first Joe McDonagh Cup win into a title triumph

Kildare 2-26

Laois 1-19

Score lines don't always tell the true story but the final result of Sunday's Joe McDonagh Cup final, played in Croke Park, gave Kildare an eleven point victory over neighbours Laois and while the boys in blue and white can point to many missed scoring opportunities in the opening half, in the end after a blistering second half display from Brian Dowling's side, there can be no complaints about the winning margin.

It was an emphatic display as we have seen in the eight years of Joe McDonagh Cup finals; a win that sees Kildare, not only advance to the Liam McCarthy pre quarter-finals (just six days after winning the McDonagh Cup) but they will also play in the Leinster SHC come 2026 and when you add in the fact they have already gained promotion to the second division of the AHL, then the season of 2025 can only be described as phenomenal.

Kildare and Laois met just a few weeks ago, in Portlaoise, a game The Lilies won by eleven points but to record a ten point winning margin in Croke Park on Sunday says so much of this Kildare side; so much of the belief; so much of how far they have traveled and so much of the level of fitness they showed not just last weekend but throughout the season.

The sides were level six times in the opening half, Kildare edging ahead time and time again with Laois coming back to tie things up.

Laois will look back on the opening half with much regret though, as they did create some great scoring opportunities but a combination of some excellent defending, some very poor finishing (although under pressure for a lot of their efforts) they hit a total of 11 wides and when you add in five balls dropped short, well there is no doubt that was where their problems lay.

Kildare, on the other hand saw their conversion rate a lot more positive; free taker David Qualter was supreme and while one felt at the break Kildare had played no where what they are capable of to go in on level terms certainly had them right in the game.

Jack Sheridan got the score board ticking over with a point inside a minute, Tomás Keyes leveled up while James Burke and an excellent long range free from Padraig Delaney saw the sides level at 0-2 apiece on seven minutes.

Even at that stage we saw Cian Boran (man of the match) make a brilliant block on an opponent before David Qualter fired over, added a second, a free after Jack Sheridan was taken out of it, a foul that saw Cody Comerford pick up an early yellow card.

Points from Tomás Keyes and Ben Conroy had the sides tied up again; Qualter and Delaney converted frees before two more from the Maynooth man, one a 65, the other a free, had Kildare two clear again.

Kildare full back, Rian Boran made a brilliant interception as Laois looked in on goal while at the other end Cathal Dunne denied Simon Leacy.

Ben Conroy and Lee Cleere had the sides level before Gerry Keegan got his first and Simon Leacy, pass from James Burke left two in it again.

Tomás Keyes reduced the lead; a Qualter free left two in it again; Keyes (2) had the sides level as we approached half-time.
Laois went ahead for the first time on 34 minutes after Aidan Corby was fouled but Kildare hit back to level through a Qualter free, after he was fouled himself to leave the half-time score reading Kildare 0-11 Laois 0-11.

Right from the restart, Laois took the initiative when Paddy Purcell was allowed to carry the sliother forward, the danger looked to be averted but Paddy McKenna failed to take possession of the ball and Ben Conroy poked it over the line to give his side a three point lead.

A brilliant save by Cathal Dunne denied Cathal McCabe initially and then Jack Sheridan but Kildare then hit three quick points from Qualter, Jack Sheridan and Qualter again and the sides were level on 42 minutes.

A Tomás Keyes free, his only score of the second half, regained the lead for Laois but Kildare were quickly level, a Jack Sheridan effort just went over, Paul Dolan put The Lilies back in front, Qualter a free and while Fiachra C Fennell reduced the lead to one Kildare were gaining momentum.

Gerry Keegan pointed but James Keyes and Paddy Purcell had the sides level again.

Three quick points from Qualter (2 frees) and Keegan had Kildare three clear before Cathal Dunne denied Jack Sheridan with an incredible save but the ball came to Jack Travers, on the pitch a mere 30 seconds, who found the net and Kildare were on their way.

Qualter and James Duggan exchanged points before Jack Sheridan finally got his well deserved goal, a cracker, and while PJ Cully got two late points for Laois, Kildare hit four of their own from James Burke, Muiris Curtin, Jack Sheridan and Jack Travers as the final whistle arrived Kildare crowned Joe McDonagh Cup champions on a final score line of Kildare 2-26 Laois 1-19 on a day that will live in the memory of Kildare hurling, an historic day in many respects in a win they thoroughly deserved.

MAIN MAN
Cian Boran
There were a number of contenders for the Man of the Match Award, with Rian Boran, Simon Leacy, Jack Sheridan and David Qualter amongst them but it was Cian Boran, Kildare's centre back who was absolutely outstanding, his second half display in particular was top drawer stuff.

TURNING POINT
In many respects after Cathal Dunne, Laois brilliant custodian, made an incredible point-blank save to deny Jack Sheridan with Jack Travers on hand to finish and while Kildare had opened a three point lead at that stage, that goal was what killed off the Laois challenge.

TALKING POINT
We have head a lot about Kildare's belief and their fitness levels prior to this final, both were on display and both were the reason Kildare were crowned Joe McDonagh Cup champions.

WHAT NOW?
Kildare now take on Dublin in the Liam McCarthy pre-quarter final, this Saturday in Newbridge; Laois will play Tipperary.

SCORERS
Kildare: David Qualter 0-13 (11 frees, one 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: Tomás Keyes 0-6 (6 frees), Ben Conroy 1-2 (1 free), Padraig Delaney 0-2 (2 frees), PJ Cully 0-2 (1 free), James Keyes 0-2, Paddy Purcell 0-2, Fiachra C Fennell 0-1, James Duggan 0-1, Lee Cleere 0-1.

TEAMS
Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Richie Hogan, Rian Boran cpt., Simon Leacy; Daniel O'Meara, Cian Boran, Paul Dolan (EECC); Daire Guerin, James Burke; Cathal McCabe, Jack Sheridan, David Qualter; Darragh Melville, Cathal Dowling, Gerry Keegan. Subs: Jack Travers for Cathal Dowling (58 minutes); Muiris Curtin for Cathal McCabe (62 minutes); Conn Kehoe for Darragh Melville (68 minutes); Liam O'Reilly for Paul Dolan (68 minutes); Oisin Lynam for Gerry Keegan (72 minutes).

Laois: Cathal Dunne; Cody Comerford, Lee Cleere, Diarmaid Conway; Jordan Walsh, Padraig Delaney, James Keyes; Fiachra C Fennell, David Dooley; Aidan Corby, Tomás Keyes, Paddy Purcell; Mark Dowling, Jer Quinlan, Ben Conroy. Subs: Aaron Dunphy for Tomás Keyes (53 minutes); Padraic Dunne for Cody Comerford (58 minutes); James Duggan for Mark Dowling (62 minutes): Ryan Mullaney for Jordan Walshe (63 minutes);

Referee: Michael Kennedy, Tipperary.

PICTURES: Hurling heaven as Kildare win Joe McDonagh Cup amid sensational scenes