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27 Jan 2026
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27 Jan 2026
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Kildare manager Pat Sullivan, Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
“It is probably two emotions; disappointed that we didn’t finish out the game and then how we reacted to conceding that goal just before half-time was super. These are top class teams (in Division 1), you are coming here to play a team that is playing Division 1 for the last 25 years and to perform the way we did (was great),” the words of Kildare manager Pat Sullivan after his side's 2-7 to 1-10 draw with Cork.
“That bit of experience probably got them the draw in the end but overall I’d be really happy with this, first round of the league, this is a learning zone for a lot of these players who haven’t been here before. We are trying to develop players as well so, overall, we are very happy. We used seven or eight subs who made a massive impact when they came on so we are looking forward to next week.”
The Lilies were mightily impressive in their first competitive outing of the year as they took points home against a fine team.
Sullivan added, “You can see today from a fitness point of view that we are in a good place. It is your first round, whatever couple of challenge’s (games) you play, it is not the same. The pressure is not the same as it is today and we will learn a lot from that but overall we would be really happy.
“Disappointed we didn’t get the points but did get a point and that point could be massive to us come six or eight weeks time. The first block of three (games) is really tough and in the space of six weeks we play five games plus we have a few players going playing college football next week. Trying to manage that (work) load is important and we did that really well with players coming off today.”
This was Kildare's first outing in the new LGFA rules with several carried over from the men's game as well as some changes to the tackling regulations.
Sullivan concluded, “It is speeding up the game. We have speed and we want speed (in our play). I think we adapted really well to them and I think Cork are probably learning as well.”
READ NEXT: Kildare held by last-minute equaliser in thrilling league opener with Cork
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