Kildare hurlers show signs of promise, but come up short against Laois

AHL Division 2A

Laois 3-22

Kildare 1-20

It was a much improved showing from the Kildare hurlers when they faced the more fancied Laois in the second round of their Division 2A campaign. Unfortunately, the step up in performance from the home side was not enough to get them off the mark in the league for 2024.

After taking the lead in this game inside the opening minute through Martin Phelan, Laois would not get in front of Kildare again until a few minutes into the second half. A huge part of Kildare’s bright start was the returning James Burke who set up Kildare’s first score for Simon Leacy before giving them the lead with a fine point of his own.

Laois were architects of their own fall in the early parts of this game, hitting two wides and two short inside the first five minutes. Kildare were much more clinical during this spell and Conan Boran pulled the home side two clear with a booming score from his own 65’.

Paddy Purcell would respond for Laois with a point from out wide before Kildare scored four without reply, including two from James Burke, to pull five clear.

Laois to their credit would regain a foothold in this game with two points from Stephen Maher and one from Padraig Delaney. It was a spell of scores that were made to look all too easy through some quality finishing.

Kildare played their part in letting the visitors back in too as wayward restarts from the back and very few of the many long balls lumped up the pitch found their way to a white jersey.

It was two forward and three back from set-pieces during the midway point of the first half for Kildare, two Jack Sheridan frees brought Kildare’s lead back out to four before three frees at the other end sliced that gap back down.

Sheridan would come alive in the latter part of the first half for Kildare as the scores for many of the rest of the forward line dried up. As Laois squeezed up and chased Kildare down to no more than a couple of scores, the Naas man kept the home side’s nose ahead.

Two late frees that were expertly dispatched by Stephen Maher looked set to send the sides in level, but in the last play of the half Cian Boran evaded challenge superbly before firing an effort between the sticks for Kildare.

The corner-forward’s late point meant that Kildare held a narrow advantage at 0-14 to 0-13 going in at half-time. In truth, Kildare were probably kicking themselves they weren’t further ahead.

They had done so much right to that point and the visiting Laois members in the press box were mighty impressed, and perhaps surprised, at the performance Brian Dowling’s men had managed.

There were still things to work on however and when no options were available short, the long, searching balls into the forward line rarely resulted in Kildare possession. Another factor for Kildare was the one that has plagued their short season already as

Cathal Dowling and Jack Higgins exited the field due to injury and illness respectively during the strong opening half.
Laois would draw themselves level just after the break through Tom Cuddy with a super score from out wide.

The pivotal moment in this game however would come just moments later after a Kildare turnover high up the pitch. The break left James Burke bearing down on goal, but the returning Naas man got his attempt all wrong and appeared to get caught between a pass and a shot as he was facing the Laois ‘keeper.

The chance was squandered and, in a sporting tale as old as time, Laois hit the net themselves just a couple of minutes later. It was the cruellest of spells for Kildare and Mark Dowling’s goal stunted the home side massively in the minutes that followed in what was truly a gut punch to their momentum.

Six minutes later the visitors would hit the net again through Aaron Dunphy in exceptional style. David Dooley drove at the heart of the Kildare defence and after a fine run flicked the ball to Dunphy who opted against taking the ball in his hand and instead smashed it into the net. Kildare now trailed 2-15 to 0-15 after 46 minutes.

The sides kept pace from then on in as Laois rang in the changes of their key men. Kildare would have one last stand as they narrowed the gap to four with a Jack Sheridan goal in the early parts of injury time.

However, it would be short lived as the eventual winners would find the net again to put some extra shine on their score as they ran out 3-22 to 1-20 winners.

A much better showing from this Kildare side and results will surely follow soon if they can keep improving at this rate.

Scorers: Laois, Stephen Maher 0-7 (0-6 frees), James Duggan 1-1, Mark Dowling 1-0, Stephen Bergin 1-0, Enda Rowland 0-2 (0-2 frees), Paddy Purcell 0-2, Martin Phelan 0-2, Padraig Delaney 0-2, Jer Quinlan 0-2, Tom Cuddy 0-1, David Dooley 0-1, Cody Comerford 0-1, Aaron Dunphy 0-1 (0-1 65').

Kildare, Jack Sheridan 1-13 (0-7 frees), James Burke 0-3, Simon Leacy 0-1, Conan Boran 0-1, Cian Boran 0-1, Conn Kehoe 0-1.

LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Ian Shanahan, Liam O'Connell, Diarmaid Conway; Tom Cuddy, Padraig Delaney, Fiachra Fennell; Cody Comerford, Paddy Purcell; Martin Phelan, Stephen Maher, David Dooley; Jer Quinlan, James Duggan, Mark Dowling. Subs: Aidan Corby for Paddy Purcell (47 minutes), Aaron Dunphy for Stephen Maher (53 minutes), Stephen Bergin for Mark Dowling (58 minutes), Padraic Dunne for Cody Comerford (69 minutes), Gearoid Lynch for Martin Phelan (74 minutes).

KILDARE: Patrick McKenna; Cian Shanahan, Seán Christianseen, Mark Grace; Cormac Byrne, Simon Leacy, Conan Boran; Rian Boran, Jack Higgins; Cathal Dowling, James Burke, Daire Guerin; Muiris Curtin, Jack Sheridan, Cian Boran. Subs: Conn Kehoe for Cathal Dowling (19 minutes), Declan Flaherty for Jack Higgins (27 minutes), John McKeon for Seán Christianseen (53 minutes).

Referee: Brian Keon, Galway

Game at a Glance

MAIN MAN
Jack Sheridan
1-6 from play and 1-13 overall tells it own story for the Kildare forward. Sheridan thrives with space and when Kildare were on top in the early exchanges the scores came from other areas, but when The Lillies were on the back-foot the Naas man showed his quality from range with some fine scores.

TURNING POINT
Kildare's missed goal opportunity was undoubtedly where this game shifted. James Burke won't need reminding that his chance needed to be put away. It was a real shame for the Naas dual player as he'd had a super game to that point upon his return to the starting lineup. In truth, it is a miss not worth criticising or over analysing because it was simply a mistake.

TALKING POINT
Unfortunately for Kildare the talking point is injuries at the minute. When giving an update on the health of many of his players after the game, manager Brian Dowling seemed exasperated and was seemingly only comforted by the hope that his side's luck must change at some point regarding his players' health. A format change means relegation is off the table for Kildare in this years league, but with a much better showing last time out The Lilywhites will hopefully be looking up the table rather than down.

WHAT NOW?
Kildare now have a week break before they head to Ballycran to face Down on Sunday, February 25.