Clare have to overturn half-time deficit to get past Kildare in brilliant battle

Clare overturned a half-time deficit to get past a brilliant and battling Kildare side when they faced off in Round 4 of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B.

It was a blistering start to this game with each team registering a couple of points within just three minutes of the referee’s first whistle. Jack Sheridan and David Qualter’s efforts were matched by that of Mark Rodgers and Ryan Taylor.

After five time All-Star Tony Kelly gave his side the lead for the first time, The Lilies responded by finding the net.
Kildare pressure high up the field paid off and earned Cathal McCabe a sight at goal. The Maynooth man made no mistake by firing the ball low into the bottom right corner to the delight of the outnumbered home support.

The visitors levelled things with back-to-back points as the game reached the 10-minute mark.

The Lilies then shot themselves three clear once again when Jack Sheridan found the net following a beautiful attacking move. A sweeping switch of play and fast hands brought the ball to Gerry Keegan who beat his man and accelerated towards goal.

The Celbridge forward drew attention and created space for the man he offloaded to Jack Sheridan who in turn blasted the ball into the back of the net.

Gerry Keegan followed his assist with a brilliant point to give Kildare a 2-3 to 0-5 lead after 13 minutes.
After a point at each end, Clare closed the gap to two before a Gerry Keegan score restored their three-point advantage. In between those exchanges of white flags was a stellar save from Paddy McKenna to deny Shane Meehan a certain goal and one which drew the ire of Brian Lohan who urged his corner-forward to take his point next time around.

Diarmuid Stritch was next on target for Kildare before The Lilies exemplified the best of themselves in this game with back-to-back. The first from Simon Leacy was exactly what the doctor ordered as the underdogs punished some sloppy play from visitors. The Naas man’s point was followed by a point from Paul Dolan which was preceded by an almighty scrap for possession and one in which the men in white emerged victorious.

Paddy McKenna was again called into action and once again denied Clare a goal, this time batting away Tony Kelly’s effort.

The Lilies maintained that three point lead until first half injury-time when referee Brian Keon found extra seconds from somewhere, which the visitors made use of.

A Senan Dunford point with the final play of the half made this 2-8 to 0-12 at half-time in favour of The Lilies. It was a scrap in the opening half and one that the Kildare players approached with no fear and instead absolutely relished the prospect, and they were well worth their half-time lead.

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The tide didn’t turn immediately after the break and it was in fact Kildare that came out strongest with points from Jack Sheridan and Muiris Curtin quickly after half-time.

The visitors drew themselves level in a ruthless spell of four points without reply as they punished every Kildare loss of possession. Two from Tony Kelly and one each from Senan Dunford and Diarmuid Stritch made up the run of scores which hurt Kildare in their first lapse of performance. The Lilies were looking long into the forward line when under the cosh and were now seeing the ball come back at them twice as quick instead of sticking.

Gerry Keegan edged The Lilies back in front at 2-11 to 0-16 with 45 minutes on the clock. Back-to-back scores from Cathal Malone edged Clare in front before David Qualter restored parity with an outstanding score that was made from his quick-feet moving the muck. The teams sat level with 19 minutes to go.

Mark Rodgers edged Clare ahead with a free and gave them the lead that they would not relinquish as their quality and strength in depth began to show.

Tony Kelly, Diarmuid Stritch and Jack O’Neill pushed Clare further on as they took control of this game and exerted their dominance late on. Despite the turning of the tide, the massive travelling contingent remained annoyed at the officials for their perception of mistreatment in regards to both fouls and overcarrying.

Their appeals were ironic given what had taken place in the game and it was hard to feel sorry for the recent Liam McCarthy winners feeling mistreated by the 2025 Joe McDonagh champions, perhaps The Banner were expecting another 29-point win in Division 1B over the weekend.

It wasn’t classic from Clare overall but there were flashes of brilliance, in particular from Tony Kelly, that could only be admired. The Ballyea man picked up possession out wide on a number of occasions and, with a Kildare man at his rear, quickly shot without even a glance at the posts and to score from a less than favourable possession for any mere mortal.

Kildare missed four second half frees which hurt their chances of recovery massively, but legs had begun to tire and their huge endeavours began to wilt as the half wore on. The strength in depth and quality that could be introduced by Clare made an enormous difference to their performances, especially on such a heavy night.

As the destination of this fixture became apparent, the intensity slightly late on and more frees began to be awarded at both ends. However, it was the home fans who got one final big cheer in this game when Jack Sheridan found the net with a free in the third minute of added time; firing past a packed Clare goal-line.

After an excellent game, Clare finished as 0-27 to 3-14 victors and took a four-point win against a Kildare side that shocked the visiting fans with their resolve.

It was a monumental effort from Kildare in this game and, while of no use in the league table, it will have further demonstrated their own quality and ability to compete with some of the top teams around.

Brian Dowling’s men won’t be getting carried away either with their biggest games of the season so far coming next as they face Down and Carlow in consecutive weeks.

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Clare, Tony Kelly 0-8, Mark Rodgers 0-7 (0-6 frees), Senan Dunford 0-3, Ryan Taylor 0-3, Diarmuid Stritch 0-2, Cathal Malone 0-2, Shane Meehan 0-1, Jack O'Neill 0-1.

Kildare, Jack Sheridan 2-4 (1-3 frees, 0-1 65'), Cathal McCabe 1-0, Gerry Keegan 0-3, David Qualter 0-3, Cathal Dowling 0-1, Simon Leacy 0-1, Paul Dolan 0-1, Muiris Curtin 0-1.

CLARE: Eamonn Foudy; Dylan McMahon, Conor Cleary, Conor Leen; Diarmuid Ryan,  John Conlon, Niall O'Farrell; Diarmuid Stritch, Ryan Taylor; Colm O'Meara, Mark Rodgers, Senan Dunford; Shane Meehan, Tony Kelly, David Fitzgerald. Subs: David McInerney for John Conlon (Half-time), Cathal Malone for David Fitzgerald (Half-time), Jack O'Neill for Colm O'Meara (45 minutes), Ross Hayes for Conor Leen (48 minutes), Ian Galvin for Senan Dunford (64 minutes).

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Liam O'Reilly, Rian Boran, Dan O'Meara; Paul Dolan, Cian Boran, Simon Leacy; Daire Guerin, Conan Boran; Cathal McCabe, Cathal Dowling, Jack Sheridan; David Qualter, Muiris Curtin, Gerry Keegan. Subs: James Dolan for Muiris Curtin (17 minutes Temporary Sub), Muiris Curtin for James Dolan (38 minutes Temporary Sub Reversal), Alan Goss for Daire Guerin (47 minutes), Conn Kehoe for Cathal Dowling (60 minutes), Richy Hogan for Gerry Keegan (69 minutes).

Referee: Brian Keon (Galway)

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