Players need to regroup quickly to face Tipperary
Laois's Mark Dowling struggles to shake of this Kildare challenge Photo: Paul Dargan
SUNDAY’S Joe McDonagh Cup final at Croke Park proved to be a bruising encounter, not just for the players who saw hurls snapping within moments of the throw-in, but also for Laois, who will leave Dublin with stinging disappointment after Kildare pulled away late to claim a ten-point victory.
The contest, played in front of a growing crowd ahead of the Leinster Hurling Final, had the intensity and drama you’d expect from two sides eager to seize a rare moment of silverware at headquarters.
This final marked a historic occasion for Kildare, who only last year were celebrating Christy Ring Cup success. Their swift rise to Joe McDonagh Cup champions speaks volumes of the momentum and self-belief coursing through the Lilywhites. It was also a testament to their resilience and composure, especially during a dominant second-half phase where they racked up 1-4 in quick succession to swing the game decisively in their favour.
Laois, meanwhile, entered the final hoping to bury the ghost of their 2024 defeat to Offaly. Manager Tommy Fitzgerald rang the changes, making five alterations from their previous outing to Carlow, in a bid to find a winning formula. His selections initially seemed to be working. Laois looked sharp in spells, with experienced hands like Ben Conroy and Tomas Keyes leading the charge. The early second-half goal had the potential to tilt momentum their way, but costly wides being a recurring issue, especially in the first half, ultimately undermined their efforts.
The contest was finely balanced through the first 50 minutes, with the sides frequently trading scores and showing flashes of what makes them such competitive outfits. But where Laois faltered, Kildare flourished. David Qualter’s accuracy from placed balls gave his side a reliable scoring platform, and their ability to punish Laois mistakes, most notably capitalising on a misjudged puckout for a goal, showed a clinical edge that eluded Fitzgerald’s men.
Another standout was Jack Sheridan, whose influence on the game grew steadily, capped off with a goal that sealed Laois’s fate. Kildare’s bench also made an impact, particularly Jack Travers who struck for a goal just two minutes after his introduction. That kind of depth and contribution from substitutes is vital in finals, and Kildare's management will be pleased with how their squad handled the pressure.
Despite the disappointment, Laois are not out of the championship just yet. A preliminary quarter-final against Tipperary offers a quick opportunity for redemption, although the challenges will only intensify. Fitzgerald will be hoping his players can regroup quickly, iron out the inconsistencies, and find the precision that eluded them in Croke Park.
As for Kildare, their Joe McDonagh triumph is not only a reward for their progress but a statement of intent. If they can continue to build from this, their recent promotion may not be the end of the journey, but just the beginning.
