Brian Flanagan and his Little Black Book have guided Kildare to Tailteann Cup glory

I was only four when Kildare last won silverware said one of a bunch of lads, all clad out in white; while his friend quickly chipped in with “I wasn't even born.”
I laughed to myself.

We're on The Luas, a jam-packed Luas, as we made our way from Heuston to Connolly and while not all the folk on board were Croker bound, a fair few were.

“Were you at that game back in 2000?” said one of the lads.

“I certainly was” says I, with a chuckle to meself.

The young lad turned back to his pals as I say to myself, “25 years, where in the world have all those years gone.”
Obviously Division 2 silverware goes under the radar with those young bucks as it was actually back in 2012 when Lilies last left Croker with a bit of silverware.

Kildare defeated Tyrone 0-16 to 0-11; Johnny Doyle captained on the day with Mikey Conway, Eoghan O'Flaherty, Podge Fogarty, Eamonn Callaghan, James Kavanagh and Tomás O'Connor all getting on the score-sheet.

In fairness to those lads on the Luas it is championship or nothing for them, they were, of course, referring to the Leinster final of 2000 when Glenn Ryan lifted the Delaney Cup.
Maybe it's me but to think that is 25 years ago is mind-boggling.

Little did we realise leaving Croker back in August 2000, after defeating The Dubs 2-11 to 0-12 (in a replay) that it would be a quarter of a century before championship silverware would be coming down the N7 to Kildare, again.

Little did we know less than 12 months ago when Brian Flanagan was appointed the Kildare senior football manager that he would head a season in 2025 to be remembered, recalled; a season that has breathed new life into Kildare; new belief; bring the county out of the depths of depression up to what will be a hugely competitive Division 2 come 2026 and on top of that, leave Tailteann Cup after a 12 month stay and return to compete with the elite counties in the Sam Maguire.

In fairness when the Johnstownbridge man took over after a depressing season that was 2024, he came prepared, well prepared, in fact very well prepared.

He was not like a stranger coming in to take over.
This is a man that had been planning that move for the previous 12, 18, if not 24 months.
And he brought with him his famous Little Black Book.

From the time he manned the sideline with his native club, he always had his Little Black Book under his oxter.

Not sure how many Little Black Books he has gone through but no doubt he has them all from Episode 1 to the present day.

When Flanno took over he more or less dispensed with the usual 'trial' games most new managers use to get to know new (and established) players.
Not in this case.

Flanno had them all in his Little Black Book.

You see for the best part of 18 or 20 months he had penciled in players, young players, players he had had with him during his successful years as U20 boss when he brought silverware on the double in Leinster before taking the All-Ireland U20 Cup down the N7.

It was all pre-planned.
It didn't happen by accident.

And remember Kildare had failed to record a single league win in 2024 that saw them hit rock bottom and end up in Division 3. Followed by a defeat at the hands of Louth in Leinster and a loss to Laois in the Tailteann Cup.

That defeat by Laois in the quarter-final of the Tailteann (2-11 to 0-12) only four, — yes four — players from the team that started back in June 2024 started last Saturday, they being Ryan Burke, Brian Byrne, Darragh Kirwan and Kevin Feely.

That is some turn-around.

That is what you can call putting the Flanagan stamp on proceedings.

That is what that Little Black Book is all about.

When The Lilies were struggling left, right and centre in 2024 Brian Flanagan was taking notes, making plans, deciding who would and who would not be in his plans, if, and when, he was to get the nod to take the Kildare reins.

The season of 2025 has been some journey.
No shortage of ups and down.
Disappointments and set-backs.
But they have come through.

So it is all onwards and upwards now after a final, not for the first time, that Kildare put fans through the ringer.

A game they had looked to be on their way in the opening half.

A game they looked to have been ebbing away in the second half.

A game they looked to be all but done and dusted as we entered the final quarter.

And a game that but for the hand of Brian Byrne could have needed extra time to decide the Tailteann Cup champions of 2025.
Forget about the 'Hand of God.'

It is all about the 'Hand of Brian' at this stage.

The Naas dual star, got a paw to the ball for the opening Limerick goal that ended up in the Kildare net and again similarly after the final kick of the game on Saturday but this time that paw diverted the ball over rather then under, as the hooter arrived and celebrations in Lilywhiteland could commence.

It was that close.

That is how close games can be won (and lost).
The margins are small.
Very small.

But for once, and after a long time of asking, Kildare got the break(s), got the rub of the green and most importantly of all, got the result.

Another big season to look forward in 2026.
Division 2 football.
Leinster Championship.
Mixing with the elite at Sam Maguire level.

But 2025 has been a season that won't be forgotten for many a long day.
The new Cedral St Conleth's.
Hurlers reaching levels few could have expected.
The Ladies now up there with the best of them.
Magic.

No sign of the lads we bumped into on the Luas as we headed back to base.
Let's hope they won't have to wait another 25 years to see the next bit of silverware coming our way.
If they have to, here's one they won't be bumping into on the Luas on the way to Croker!

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