Kildare U20s get campaign underway with huge Laois win

Joey Cunningham of Kildare in action in the 2023 Electric Ireland Leinster GAA Football Minor Championship, Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

placeholder image — Joey Cunningham of Kildare in action in the 2023 Electric Ireland Leinster GAA Football Minor Championship, Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Sean O'Dea's side ran out 3-18 to 0-6 winners in Laois Hire O'Moore Park

Dalata Hotel Group 2025 Leinster U20 Football Championship Group 3

Kildare 3-18

Laois 0-6

Kildare got their Leinster U20 Championship campaign off to the perfect start with a huge win over Laois.

After five minutes with no score and three wides, Kildare broke the deadlock and never looked back following Ben Loakman’s opener.

Captain James Harris then doubled his side’s advantage just before the 10-minute mark.

A minute later, The Lilies’ lead would be doubled again by a brilliant Loakman two-pointer after he ignored calls to pass on possession.

Colm Moran, Senan Murphy, Jay O’Brien, and Eoin Cully all got on the scoresheet in the 10 minutes that followed.

Eoin Lawlor was the man to raise a green flag first when he combined with Fintan Quinn before coolly finding the back of the net.

Kildare added five more points before half-time, including a two-pointer from Jay O’Brien, that left them with a commanding 1-13 to 0-1 lead.

The second half was a procession for the visiting Lilies as they maintained their massive lead at an admittedly reduced intensity.

Sean O’Dea’s men made the perfect start to life in Leinster this year with an impressive display.

Kildare, Jay O'Brien 1-5 (1-0 penalty, 1 two-pointer), Ben Loakman 0-6 (1 two-pointer), Fintan Quinn 1-1, Cathal White 1-0, Colm Moran 0-1, James Harris 0-1, Senan Murphy 0-1, Eoin Cully 0-1, Ryan Sinkey 0-1, Evan Boyle 0-1.

Laois, Sam Ryan 0-2, Ennae Byrne 0-2 (0-2 frees, 1 two-pointer), Robbie Murphy 0-1, Rory Lalor 0-1.

KILDARE: Charlie Carroll; Ben Ryan, Padraic Spillane, Niall Cramer; Eoin Lawlor, James Harris, Cathal White; Senan Murphy, Ross Harris; Ryan Sinkey, Ben Loakman, Colm Moran; Jay O'Brien, Fintan Quinn, Eoin Cully. Subs: Ruaidhri Lawlor for Eoin Lawlor (28 minutes), Killian Browne for Ryan Sinkey (40 minutes), Austin Donegan for Ben Loakman (40 minutes), Evan Boyle for Senan Murphy (48 minutes), Joey Cunningham for Jay O'Brien (51 minutes).

LAOIS: Luke O'Reilly; Ben O'Connor, Conor Raggett, Jake Darcy; James Dunne, Eoin Johnson, Kevin Fennelly; Daragh Loughman, Niall Lalor; Sean Kirby, Rory Lalor, Robbie Murphy; David Donohue, Sam Ryan, Ryan Little. Subs: Darren Brennan for James Dunnes (Half-time), Cathal Buggie for Sean Kirby (Half-time), Ennae Byrne for David Donohue (41 minutes), Paddy Fitzpatrick for Sam Ryan (52 minutes).