COMMENT: Achievements of the Kildare hurlers should not be underestimated

A decent crowd turned up to support Kildare hurlers as they bid to make it to their first ever Joe McDonagh Cup final, taking on Down, at Cedral St Cnleth's Park, Newbridge, on Saturday, the visitors have proved a bogey team for The Lilies, not just this year, but in recent times, but a win would guarantee a place in the decider.

All things considered this was a major achievement for Kildare, remember, in this their fourth season to play in this Tier 2 hurling competition, having failed previously to even record a single victory and when they lost their opening game, by a point, to Kerry, things were certainly not looking rosey for a reversal of that sequence of set-backs.

And while that one point defeat was a disappointment, what was even worse that day was the overall display of the team as they looked so off, their touch in particularly poor and certainly exiting Cedral St Conleth's Park that afternoon most felt that Kildare's poor performances in the Joe McDonagh Cup heretofore was about to continue.

In fairness, the side knuckled down, and knuckled down big-time, and that impressive win over Westmeath the following week was a huge result, not only giving the boys in white their first ever win in this Cup, but also gave them a genuine opportunity of retaining their status — something that was the no. 1 priority before a sliother was hit in anger.

Still, the next two games up were always going to be tough — Carlow and Laois — two well seasoned sides at this level, and even higher, but Kildare put down a firm marker shocking Carlow, managed by the successful Naas manager, Tom Mulally, in many respects that win was so sweet with Mulally so familiar with all the Naas players on the Kildare side.

That win brought Kildare hurling into the spotlight on the national stage and when they recorded a comprehensive win over Laois in the next outing, well the dream of making it to a McDonagh Cup was not alone a genuine one it was in their own hands, albeit against a side that had beaten them a couple of times this season.

Last week Kildare, without reaching the heights they had when defeating Carlow and Laois, still had too much in the tank for their northern visitors. In the end it was a comprehensive win for Dowling's side.

Ironically Laois and Carlow drew last Saturday so that win of Kildare's was absolutely vital as a draw in that one would have seen them lost out on scoring difference.

To get to a McDonagh Cup final has to be looked upon as a major achievement for Kildare, overall it has been a fine season, gaining promotion to Division 2 for 2026 has guaranteed them some top class league action next season.

And with both finalists of the McDonagh Cup also qualifying for this season's Liam McCarthy Cup pre-quarter-final it leaves them at a level they could hardly have dreamed about.

The winners of the McDonagh Cup will play Dublin while the runners-up will line up against Tipperary, both of these games will see the McDonagh finalists having home advantage, in games penciled in for Saturday 14 June.

The one real drawback, is however, that it is a mere six days after Kildare and Laois will have played the McDonagh final, hardly ideal, but for now all thoughts will be on Sunday week, Croke Park, as Kildare and Laois clash before the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship final where Kilkenny will take on Galway.

Meanwhile Kildare footballers return to action in Round 3 of the Tailteann Cup when they travel to King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon this Sunday (1 June), a game timed to throw-in at 2 pm.

A win here for The Lilies will put them straight into the quarter-final and with a win already under their belts against Sligo, they will be expected to come through again.

There are a few injuries in the Kildare squad, expected to miss this game are Darragh Kirwan (hamstring), Ryan Houlihan (quad) while there remains a doubt also about Callum Bolton.

Without playing to anything near their best they had a comfortable win over Tipperary in Round 2 but it was not all straight forward with the home side that day, Tipp, well in the game in the second half before Kildare pulled clear late on.

Sligo defeated Leitrim in their opening game but by just four points (2-19 to 1-18) a home game for Leitrim while in their second game, at home, Sligo were too strong for Tipperary, again, not an overly impressive display but they did have five points to spare (2-15 to 2-10).

While both are guaranteed to advance a win will put The Lilies into the quarters and, more importantly, keep their winning run in tact, with bigger games to come against stronger opposition, that in itself is vital for the cause.

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