Kildare boss delighted with resilient Lilies after thrilling win
After leading by 13 points at one stage, the Kildare hurlers were pegged back to level with five minutes to go but kept their cool to secure their first Joe McDonagh win
Kildare's thrilling Joe McDonagh win over Westmeath was something of an exorcism of demons for the players in white. There was a palpable sense that a weight had been lifted from their shoulders and that notion was put to Lilies boss Brian Dowling post-match.
“And from management as well I'll tell you,” he smirked. “What a difference a week makes. We were absolutely devastated leaving here last Saturday.
“We had a great chance today to come back, at home, seven days later and in fairness to the lads they got the job. We have two points on the board so we are absolutely delighted to get that first Joe McDonagh win.”
Key to Kildare's success was a blistering start to proceedings in Newbridge with The Lilies leading 2-7 to 0-4 after just 10 minutes.
“We built up a big lead, but Westmeath came back and got a goal just on half-time. That was a sucker punch and they got to a draw in the second half. I am delighted with the character of the lads in that second half, they found a way to win. That is what we have to do in these tough matches. You have to find a way to win.
“Cian Boran, 21 years of age, showed huge leadership, and got an unbelievable point from play and that settled things. James Burke finishes it off then with the goal so we are just thrilled with the result.”
Kildare responded from the start after last week's disappointment, but The Lilies boss was most impressed with how his side answered to Westmeath levelling the game in the 65th minute after once holding a 13-point lead.
“It is easier to come back with a response when you have a week to think about it, but when that game is in the melting pot with five minutes to go, and for the lads to show that leadership and chara -cter, was absolutely brilliant. We won by six in the end and if you’d said that coming down the home stretch we would have thought you were crazy. Hopefully now the lads can build on this. We don’t just want to win one game. We know there are top class teams in this and we want to push on now and hopefully lads get huge confidence from this.”
The Kildare hurlers face Carlow away from home in their third Joe McDonagh Cup clash on Saturday, May 10.