Naas dominance a worry, on two counts

Spotted Brian Dowling, Kildare’s senior hurling manager, who has just agreed to remain in charge of The Lilies for a further three seasons, recently in Cedral St Conleth’s Park.

The Kilkenny man was in the frame for the Kilkenny senior managerial position a few weeks ago and while in the end that role was given to the legend that is Henry Shefflin, no doubt Brian will be hoping to take up the mantle in his own county down the road; in the meantime he has committed to Kildare, which is a major boost for all involved in hurling in the Shortgrass.

Didn’t get an opportunity to chat with Brian last weekend as he threw his eye over the Maynooth and Confey clash that followed on the day when county champions Naas took on Celbridge.

It is generally believed, rightly or wrongly, the top three hurling teams are, in order, Naas, Maynooth and Celbridge, no disrespect to any of the other five clubs that compete at this level.

After last weekend, which also saw Éire Óg Corra Choill play out a fairly competitive game on Saturday against Coill Dubh, while on Friday we had Ardclough and Clane clash in what was probably the most exciting Round 2 clash, Ardclough getting over the line in that one when that great veteran Tony Spain, came off the bench late on to get the vital winning goal of the game.

That Friday night game and indeed the Éire Óg CC v Coill Dubh clash had what was badly missing in the Sunday clashes, a bit of passion, a bit of excitement with both teams going at it full steam with the small but vocal support bringing a bit of atmosphere to the occasion.

One can only wonder what was Brian Dowling’s thoughts on what he had witnessed were.

Maynooth hit no less than 6-21 against Confey having led by a dozen points at the break, in a game that was always going to be a step too far for the boys in green and white.

However what we witnessed in Sunday’s second game was not just a one-sided affair but a display that makes one wonder exactly where club hurling in Kildare is at present.

Naas are seeking their eighth senior county title in a row this year, and remember before they began that journey, they were beaten in the two previous finals, 2016 and 2017 losing out to Celbridge and Ardclough respectively.

Previous to that the boys from the county town had not won a senior hurling since 2002, having won it the previous year also but then went without even making it to the final until 2016.

There is no doubt that what Naas has achieved in the last seven years is quite remarkable, maybe even unique and they have also gone on to make their mark at provincial level, capturing the Leinster Intermediate Club title back in 2021, becoming only the second club side from the county after Ardclough in 2006, to do that.

Promoted to the senior grade (Leinster) after that, Naas have also made their mark here and while they have not lifted the Leinster title (yet) they have certainly served notice of their intention to do so, without actually getting over the line.

It is, of course, no coincidence that what Naas has brought to the table has also transferred to the county side.

Kildare have made huge strides in recent times, winning four Christy Ring Cups under three different managers, Joe Quaid in 2016, David Herity in 2020 and 2022 and Brian Dowling in 2024.

Promoted to Division 1B in 2026 retaining that status for 2027, while also playing in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, a major achievement, and while the Leinster experience was brilliant they did not retain that status for next season which really is a shame but playing the likes of Galway, Kilkenny, Wexford, Dublin and Offaly, was a really positive experience and one can only wonder if it would not be beneficial for counties such as Kildare to be playing at that level on a consistent basis rather than going up and down like a jo yo between that and the Christy Ring?

There is however, a downside to all of this. Isn’t there always.

And that is the gap, the gigantic gap, that is so obvious to see in Kildare club hurling at present.

Naas are so far ahead of the rest over the past number of years that it is worrying and worrying big time.

In reality and in many respects as we have seen on more than one occasion, the lack of competitive action Naas get within the county does little to prepare them for when they step out to take on some of the clubs from the more traditional hurling counties as we saw last season playing St Martin’s of Wexford, then again Martin’s went on to lift the Leinster title.

That situation is also not a good omen for the county team.

Naas players, hardly surprisingly, dominate the county side and while a few lads certainly did put their hands up in 2026 it was obvious that playing at the higher level brought some players to heights they had not reached prior to that.

It does, however remain a worry that more are not coming forward; a few have put up their hands in this season’s club championship to date, however, surprise, surprise, most are wearing the blue and white of Naas.

This, of course, is not a problem for Naas, the problem is that the other clubs have fallen so far behind, so far back, so less competitive that it has to be a worry, to use that horrible phrase, going forward. and when you see Naas, following their forty-one point win over Celbridge last weekend being then put through their paces for 10-12 minutes after that game, not just lads who did not get a run but all panel members, it says it all.

It is though a major concern for Brian Dowling and while all the chat recently has centered around county football and where it finds itself at the minute, the state of club hurling, the paltry attendances, the lack of competitive action is something that will need addressing sooner rather than later!