PREVIEW: Leinster Senior Football final place could further lift 'doom and gloom' in Kildare
Brian Flanagan's men take on Westmeath at 2pm on Sunday, May 3 in Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore with the game to be streamed live on GAA+
Opportunity knocks for Kildare manager Brian Flanagan and his squad of players, an opportunity to book a place in the Leinster SFC final of 2026, something a few short weeks ago certainly seemed remote, to say the very least.
Amazing really how things can change. Amazing how one victory can lift a team, lift supporters, and give everyone a boost, a boost that was really needed following a league run that ended in relegation, after five consecutive defeats.
Don’t think I have experienced so much doom and gloom for quite some time like what we witnessed prior to the Laois game – despair, worry, few predicting a win, many in near fear that the noisy neighbours would end The Lilies’ Leinster SFC campaign at the first time of asking.
In fairness Kildare lifted their game and that without a fair number of injured players. That has been the recurring theme of the season of 2026 – injuries – so much so that many began to question, including this writer, was there something amiss as regards to fitness and strength and conditioning.
Anyway those players who got their chance, those who came in all made contributions, all put their shoulder to the wheel to carve out a thoroughly deserved five point victory over a side who a mere eight days previously had handed a walloping to Offaly.
So what has changed?
Did Kildare suddenly find their mojo, suddenly find the form we hoped they would; or was the opposition not up to it?
In fairness one would have to give credit to Kildare and while all their early season problems have certainly not disappeared, nevertheless they worked hard from start to finish; dealt with a couple of set-backs, especially the conceding of two first-half goals, to go in level before re-appearing to dominate the opening fifteen minutes or so where the game was undoubtedly won.
Midfield has been a problem area for Kildare throughout the season and while they certainly did not dominate that area against Laois, they did hold their own and then improved immeasurably in the second half.
That improvement came with the introduction of team captain Kevin Feely.
The world and his mother were aware the Athy man was not starting, but few realised that he would be making an appearance for the second half.
Credit must go here to Brian Flanagan and his management.
A decision to hold back the experienced Feely was a brave one, indeed but it was a decision that worked out on two counts. The first being the lift the big man gave his side (never mind the supporters) when introduced and then the fact that he made a couple of fine fetches, added a point that was a big lift to both himself and the team.
It will be interesting to see if the same tactic will be applied in Tullamore come Sunday.
In fairness Brendan Gibbons overall did well, made a few catches and was on hand near the end to ensure Laois did not find the Kildare net.
One area that Westmeath are exceptionally strong is around the middle where Ray Connellan and Brian Cooney are exceptional footballers, the former in particular has a reputation that puts him up there with the best of those around who operate in the middle third.
Ronan Wallace is acknowledged as a fine wing-back as there is in the country.
Remember him in Newbridge in the O’Byrne Cup final, he practically defeated Kildare on his own. Hopefully Kildare have learned from that experience. Luke O’Loughlin hardly needs any introduction.
Very highly regarded, he scored six points against Meath and remember The Royals had been fancied by many to go all the way in Leinster after their promotion to Division 1 this year, while also being crowned Division 2 champions defeating Cork in the final.
O’Loughlin did come off around the 50 minute of that Meath game with what we are told was a hamstring, but you can be sure, come hell or high water he will line out against Kildare – even if he is on one leg.
In that O’Byrne Cup final back in mid-January Kildare led Westmeath 1-13 to 0-8 with just sixteen minutes remaining, however with Luke Wallace hitting 1-7 and Luke Loughlin firing over three two-pointers – the last the winning score – the boys in maroon won 1-16 to 1-18.
Kildare had no less than eleven starters that began in the O’Byrne Cup final that lined out against Laois while Westmeath had just eight from the side that won the O’Byrne Cup playing against Kildare.
We are told that most, if not all, of Kildare’s walking wounded who missed the Laois game should be available for Sunday’s clash and if that proves correct it will certainly be a first in 2025; most of them trained the morning of the Laois game in Manguard Park, but ironically manager Flanagan admitted that while they did take some chances earlier in the season with players coming back from injury, they decided against Laois to only play lads who were on the button and one hundred percent fit.
So some major decisions on the way for Sunday’s semi-final from a Kildare point of view.
Kevin Feely being the first one, start him or hold him back for the second half?
Ben McCormack made a major impact when introduced, his best game in a white shirt for some time, firing over no less than four points, all from play, will he start on Sunday?
Alex Beirne and Colm Dalton one would imagine, if fully fit, will be in the starting line-up but who will miss out?
Eoin Cully was electric against Laois and caused no end of problems.
Brian McLoughlin covers a lot of ground, works extremely hard and his brilliant kick pass into Eoin Cully that saw the Carbury man crash the ball off the crossbar, only for Ben Loakman to palm to the net was a real bit of class.
And what of Darragh Kirwan?
The Naas man has not been at his best since a pre-Christmas operation but showed last time out on his day just how excellent a player he can be. He certainly cut out that day shooting from crazy angles and positions, overall he did extremely well topping it off with an excellent goal to go along with his first half two-pointer and his overall contribution of 1-4.
Westmeath have been scoring goals in recent times. They hit 5-25 against Longford – 5-23 of that from open play – while against Meath they put another impressive scoring display with 4-18, you can’t get much better score lines than that.
The main scorers in those games? Luke Loughlin, Sam McCartan, Shane Corcoran, not forgetting Brendon Kelly.
No doubt Westmeath will head to Tullamore on Sunday full of confidence, full of hope and a belief that can make it to the final.
For Kildare they now find themselves in a place most felt was not achievable not too long ago.
It is certainly all to play for, most call it an even-money game, not a whole lot between them but if Kildare can break even in midfield, get on top for the breaking ball and keep the likes of Ray Connellan, Luke Loughlin and a few others quiet, a Leinster final is certainly not beyond them.