Kildare outclassed by impressive Dublin in Leinster SHC Round 2 meeting
Kildare came up well short when they faced Dublin in Round 2 of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship in Parnell Park
Kildare faced Dublin in Round 2 of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship in Parnell Park and came up well short on a scoreline of 3-24 to 1-19.
Dublin demonstrated their quality straight away with points from Cian O’Sullivan, Donal Burke and midfielder Conor Donohoe, who was exemplary in the opening 35 minutes.
Jack Sheridan opened Kildare’s account after a superb turnover from Dan O’Meara. The Lilies were back within one when Muiris Curtin came out with a ball he had no right to win ahead of Paddy Smyth and fired over beautifully.
Donohoe hit again for The Dubs before Gerry Keegan registered his first for a quick Kildare response.
Back-to-back frees from Jack Sheridan put Kildare ahead on the quarter of the hour mark. The Lilies lost usual free-taker David Qualter after three minutes of play with the Maynooth man being stretchered off in some discomfort for what looked like a serious injury on initial impression.
Dublin hit the front again moments later when they raised the game’s first green flag. Paddy McKenna was able to deny Cian O’Sullivan’s initial effort but the rebound was swept home by Fergal Whitley. The concession of the first goal was a frustrating blotch on The Lilies opening stint in this game.
Conor Donohoe hit his third from play soon after to give the home side a three-point lead.
Kildare were mixing it superbly at both ends of the field in this phase of the game. Cathal McCabe set up Jack Sheridan for Kildare’s sixth point. A direct ball from the back to Caolan Smith resulted in a route one score that was satisfying in its simplicity to make this game 1-5 to 0-7 after 20 minutes.
Chris Crummey hit a fine point from range before Jack Sheridan and Daire Guerin levelled this game in the 25th minute with quick-fire in what had been a breathless encounter to that point.
However, Guerin’s point which was created after superb work from Gerry Keegan would prove to be The Lilies’ last of the half as wides began to replace their previously stellar shot-taking.
Four in four minutes from The Dubs had them more than a single score ahead after a ruthless burst.
There were grievances and misgivings against Wexford but none of that here as Dublin showed their immense quality and, for the first time in a long time, Kildare were truly outclassed in the middle section of this game.
Dublin racked up four more points while The Lilies finished the half with nine wides, a significant portion of which came in that dour spell before the break. The Dubs led The Lilies 1-15 to 0-9 at half-time.
There was plenty to be said about the refereeing in the Wexford and Kildare encounter a week prior but the same coverage should be afforded to Antrim official Colm McDonald who had a strong and, what most fans desire most, consistent performance.
A point at each end in the five minutes after the restart arrived before Dublin hit their second goal. Dub sub’ David Purcell had set up Cian O’Sullivan moments prior but the Naomh Bríd man was superbly denied by Paddy McKenna. The Clane stopper had no chance with the second chance Purcell created however as Fergal Whitely smashed the ball into the roof of the net for his and his team’s second.
Kildare responded to the setback sharply with points from Dan O’Meara and the recently-introduced Darragh Melville, but four minutes after Dublin’s second goal came their third. It was Purcell who went from provider to scorer when he was slipped in by Conor Donohoe. The Kilmacud Crokes forward found the net in convincing style to all but end this fixture and extend The Dubs’ lead to 14 points.
The Lilies, as they so often have in 2026, found the net themselves after dogged work from Cathal McCabe got the ball to Jack Sheridan who in turn produced an excellent finish into the roof of the net. The Naas man should have left Parnell Park with a second goal too when he won a penalty three minutes from the end.
Sheridan made a particularly exaggerated fall to the floor after some contact in the box and, in perhaps his first misstep of the day, the referee signalled for a penalty. Justice was done from Dublin point of view as Sheridan unleashed a meek effort low to the keeper’s right which was parried out by Edie Gibbons. A surprising lack of power in the strike from a player with plenty.
Sheridan did add the final two points of the game as The Lilies came out on the wrong side of a 3-24 to 1-19 defeat.
Dublin, Donal Burke 0-7 (0-5 frees), Fergal Whitely 2-0, Chris Donohoe 0-4, John Hetherton 0-3, David Purcell 1-0, Cian O'Sullivan 0-2, Ronan Hayes 0-2, Chris Crummey 0-1, Dara Purcell 0-1, Darragh Power 0-1, Brian Hayes 0-1, Conor Burke 0-1, Conal O'Riain 0-1.
Kildare, Jack Sheridan 1-10 (0-7 frees), Daire Guerin 0-2, Caolan Smith 0-2, Dan O'Meara 0-2, Muiris Curtin 0-1, Darragh Melville 0-1, Jack Travers 0-1.
DUBLIN: Eddie Gibbons; Donal Burke, Paddy Smyth, John Bellew; Eoghan O'Donnell, Chris Crummey, Paddy Doyle; Conor Burke, Conor Donohoe; Fergal Whitely, Brian Hayes, Darragh Power; Dara Purcell, John Hetherton, Cian O'Sullivan. Subs: David Purcell for Dara Purcell (41 minutes), Ronan Hayes for John Hetherton (50 minutes), Liam Rushe for Chris Crummey (52 minutes), Conal O'Riaain for Cian O'Sullivan (54 minutes), Andy Dunphy for John Bellew (66 minutes).
KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Liam O'Reilly, Rian Boran, Simon Leacy; Paul Dolan, Conan Boran, Caolan Smith; Richy Hogan, Dan O'Meara; David Qualter, Daire Guerin, Cathal McCabe; Muiris Curtin, Gerry Keegan, Jack Sheridan. Subs: Alan Goss for David Qualter (3 minutes), Tom Power for Muiris Curtin (40 minutes), Darragh Melville for Paul Dolan (44 minutes), Jack Travers for Richy Hogan (49 minutes), Tim Ryan for Alan Goss (58 minutes).
Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim)