Kildare defeat Dublin to book OBC final spot

Kildare advanced to the final of the 2026 Dioralyte O'Byrne Cup with a well-deserved nine point win over Dublin at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbrige this evening.

While Kildare started well, Dublin took control after a goal from Jamie McCarville in the 27 minute to lead at the break 1-10 to 0-10.

Kildare though stepped it up bit time on the resumption, in front of a fine attendace, with a Harry O'Neill goal putting Kildare on their way as they totally dominated the last fifteen minutes or so with many players off the bench certainly putting their hands up.

Both sides used a host of substitutes but it was the home side who advance to final, this Friday, when Westmeath come to Cedral St Conleth's Par for what should be another entertaining game.

Final score: Kildare 1-22 Dublin 1-13.

Scorers: Kildare, Alex Beirne 0-7 (45, 1 free), Harry O'Neill 1-0, James Harris 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Darragh Swords 0-2, Eoin Cully 0-2, Ben Loakman 0-1, Sam Doran 0-3, Brian McLoughlin 0-2, Kevin Feely 0-1, Aaron Browne 0-1 (free).

Dublin, Clyde Burke 0-5 (2 two-pointers), Jamie McCarville 1-0, Dylan Kettle 0-2, Eoin Kennedy 0-1, Sam Moloney 0-1 (45), Niall O'Callaghan 0-1, Luke Gifford 0-1.

KILDARE: Didier Cordonier (Two Mile House); Mark Dempsey (Moorefield), Padraic Spillane (Athy), Harry O'Neill (Clane); Eoin Lawlor (Naas), Brian Byrne (Naas), Dara Crowley (Raheens); Kevin Feely (Athy), Brendan Gibbons (Kilcock); Brian McLoughlin (Clane), Alex Beirne (Naas), Luke Killian (Sallins); Ben Loakman (Sarsfields), Niall Dolan (Raheens), Sam Doran (Johnstownbridge). Subs: Mick Spillane (Athy) for Mark Dempsey (half-time); Darragh Swords (Caragh) for Luke Kilian half-time); Eoin Cully (Carbury) for Niall Dolan (42 minutes); James Harris (Castlemitchell) for Eoin Lawlor (42 minutes); Rob Fitzgerald (Naas) for Darragh Swords (42 minutes); Eoin Bagnall (Allenwood) for Alex Beirne (45 minutes); Aaron Browne (Celbridge) for Ben Loakman (52 minutes).

DUBLIN: Sam Maloney (Castleknock); Eoghan O'Callaghan (Cuala), Liam Smith (Ballinteer St John's), Fiachra Potts (Na Fianna); Conor Tyrrell (St Oliver Plunketts), Eoghan O'Connor-Flanagan (Skerries Harps), Robert Shaw (Castleknock); Eoin Kennedy (Cuala), Cillian Dunne (Cuala); Conor Dolan (Man O'War), Jack Lundy (Ballinteer St John's), Clyde Burke (St Patrick's Donabate); Jamie McCarville (St Mary's Saggart), Niall O'Callaghan (Cuala), Joe Quigley (Kilmacud Crokes). Subs: Jack Feehan (Naomh Ólaf) for Eoghan O'Connor Flanagan (half-time); Luke Gifford (O'Toole's) for Joe Quigley (half-time); Seán Kirwan (St Jude's) for Liam Smith (35 minutes); Peter Duffy (Cuala) for Conor Dolan (42 minutes); Dylan Kettle (Fingal Ravens) for Niall O'Callaghan (45 minutes); Luke O'Brien (Templeogue Synge Street) for Dylan Kettle (52 munutes); Dylan Knight-Sands (St Patrick's Donabate) for Clyde Burke (53 minutes); Finn Bruton (Lucan Sarsfields) for Conor Tyrrell (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Eamonn O'Connor, Offaly.