Kildare captain, Rian Boran, and his team rarin' to go for opening game

Kildare hurlers will have a new man wearing the captain's arm back in 2025 and it is no surprise to see it is Naas' Rian Boran.
Talented, play-anywhere Rian is oneof fourteen Naas players that has been named on Brian Dowling's 2025 panel and in an added bonus Rian will also, once again have close to him two brothers, Cian and Conan, all dual players and lads more than capable of mixing it at county level with the big ball.

The Boran's are steeped in GAA, both codes; players that bring so much to the table and it will certainly be no surprise to see all three line out in together as the AHL season unfolds.

When we spoke to Rian he was at pains to point out that “he wouldn't consider himself as the main leader on the pitch, there are seven or eight lads that can equally do the job so it is not up to me the whole time” and while admitting it is “a huge honour, we are a big hurling family and with the brothers playing alongside me a great honour absolutely.”

Rian admits that the squad of players are a very close-knit group, testament to the work that has been done by management and backroom staff last year when Brian (Dowling) and Richie (Ruth) came in, they gave us a good structure in the team, bonded well and everyone is very, very close this year so hopefully we get something out it.”

The captain says that training has, and continues, to be going very well “we had a few very tough sessions before Christmas which definitely fuelled a bit of fire but we are going well; there is good momentum in the camp and we are striving for improvement at every session.

“The panel overall is quiet a young squad, however rather than looking at it as a young team which some people might take as inexperienced but some of the lads in this year have all hurled against the likes of Kilkenny, Dublin and Laois at minor and U20 level, some of them don't know how to lose so very much looking forward to bringing that into the team.”

There has been huge work in the county behind the scenes over the past number of years and these lads are the beneficiaries of this.

Rian admits a couple of tough games coming up, Down this Saturday and Kerry after that so no easy game but the lads are up to the challenge.

“Delighted to be back in the Joe McDonagh, another great opportunity for us; we have been close before but the lads are all good, rarin' to go and hopefully we get off to the perfect start this weekend.”