COMMENT: Kildare not bad for a so-called football county

And so hear we are, into the opening days of June, the sun has been shining, the ground is hardening up and counties, for instance Kildare, are finished their hurling inter-county season. Sad or what?

It has been a memorable 12 months for Kildare hurlers, if someone had told us a year or two ago, The Lilies would be competing in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League, and when that was finished, would then be joining with the big boys of Leinster, well, I’d say it was time to be calling the boys in the white coats.

It was back in 2025 when The Lilies last captured the Joe McDonagh, defeating Laois in the final in Croke Park, a victory that ensured Kildare would qualify to take part in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship proper.

It was some achievement for what is regarded, rightly or wrongly, as a football county.

2025 also saw Kildare finish second in the Allianz Hurling League Division 2, along with Down a win that saw them promoted to Division 1B of the league for this season.

Just take a look at the Division 1B line-up and it gives you an indication of how far this Kildare side has travelled in a relatively short period of time. Clare, Dublin, Wexford along with Antrim, Carlow and Down.

Staying up, retaining Division 1B status was the no. 1 aim of the league season of 2026. Needless to say, and taking into account the sides in the division that was going to be a big ask.

Kildare’s campaign began on 31 January, Round 2 as it transpired (don’t worry it’s a GAA thing) but off The Lilies went up the N7 stopping off in Parnell Park and a tilt with The Metropolitans. Tough start, very tough and later that Saturday evening they made the short trip home, somewhat chastened in a game the home side had little difficulty in winning.

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Round 3 followed, Round 2 for Kildare (don’t worry it’s a GAA thing) and Kildare welcomed Antrim, the great Davy Fitzgerald and all, to Cedral St Conleth’s Park.

The result was a ten point win for the home side, a victory that sent out a signal that those boys in white were not just in Division 1B for making up the numbers.

Round 4, yes Round 3 for The Lilies (don’t worry it’s a GAA thing) and it was the boys from The Banner who were the visitors.

Clare, with no less a man than Brian Lohan at the helm and household hurling heroes such as Tony Kelly and Mark Rodgers threading on the Newbridge turf for the first time.

First half goals from Cathal McCabe and Jack Sheridan had the boys in blue and gold on edge with The Lilies leading by two. And while The Banner went on to take the two points on offer, a mere four points separated them, with Clare failing to raise a green flag, a fair display indeed.

Kildare were now beginning to make a few headlines. Nothing dramatic but at the same time other ‘hurling’ counties were beginning to sit up and take notice.

Round 5, and yes you're right, Round 4 for Kildare (don’t worry it’s a GAA thing) and a trip to fellow promoted side Down and that infamous ground in Ballycran.

Few counties like travelling to that particular venue - next stop Scotland - but The Lilies did and came away with a seven point victory.

On we went, Round 6, yes Kildare’s fifth game (don’t worry it’s a GAA thing) and lo and behold the visitors to Newbridge were neighbours Carlow, a team that has had many a ding-dong battle over the years.

Back in Cedral St Conleth’s Park and once again The Lilies rose to the challenge, stood firm and recorded another victory, this time with no less than ten points to spare.

Round 7, yes you know the drill by now, was Kildare’s final league game, a trip to Yellowbellies country and it proved one too many, those boys in Wexford had their homework done and won comfortably.

Still it all meant that Kildare finished in fourth spot, happily and deservedly retaining Division 1B status. A major achievement by any standards and that’s for sure.

The Leinster Championship beckoned, the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship at that, with a line-up of Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Offaly and Wexford.

Now that’s what you call dining at the top table.

Wexford were first up, they were pushed hard but prevailed while Dublin proved too strong in Round 2.

Round 3 saw Galway make their first visit to Newbridge, well actually it was their second, an earlier game was cancelled late due to a frosty pitch. The Tribesmen got one hell of a shock, trailing by double figures at the interval but coming alive in the second winning by nine, a margin that did not do justice to Kildare’s brave efforts.

A trip to take on The Cats was next and again a brilliant opening half had the black and amber boys under pressure but they recovered, winning well in the end.

The final offering saw Offaly arrive in town with all guns blazing, on a blazing sunny Sunday. Offaly were within touching distance of making it to the All-Ireland series and while they led by three at the break were in no way comfortable.

An early red card on the resumption scuppered The Lilies, Offaly gaining a place in the All-Ireland Series.

And so a season of Saturdays and Sundays has come to an end for Kildare.

It has been a memorable journey. A journey of learning, a journey of some great displays, a journey of rubbing shoulders with the elite, a journey that tastes like more.

No Leinster Championship in 2027 but another season in Division 1B, the Joe McDonagh, and a lot more, hopefully.

The players, management, all involved have done themselves and their county some service.

Not bad for a so-called ‘football’ county!