Kirwan inspires Kildare to Tailteann Cup glory

Kildare will return to the Sam Maguire Cup race in 2026 after a three-year break, turning in a powerful final quarter display at Croke Park to secure the Tailteann Cup title.

Brian Flanagan's side have capped a strong season with a rare piece of national silverware having previously gained promotion to Division 2.

But the Lilywhites had to battle all the way for this one and were grateful for the scoring contribution of man-of-the-match Darragh Kirwan who struck 0-08.

Alex Beirne's 1-02 haul was hugely significant too while, just like in the semi-final, Brian McLoughlin had a huge impact when he came on, hitting 0-03.

Trailing by two points after Limerick's second goal in the 48th minute, 1-16 to 2-15, Kildare fans wondered if more Croke Park heartache was coming their way after losing the Division 3 final there in March.

But eight points in the next 15 minutes or so moved them four points clear and gave them a vital cushion at the death.

Limerick, bidding to become the first Division 4 team to win the competition, battled all the way and got the gap down to just three points when the siren sounded.

Kildare win the Tailteann Cup. In a pulsating finale, Limerick almost snatched a dramatic goal to force extra-time but the Lilywhites put their bodies on the line to survive.

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They had possession of the ball at that stage and chased a goal to level the game but when sub Darragh Murray's shot was saved, Rory O'Brien gathered the rebound and was only able to shoot over for a point - ending the game.

Kildare were just about good value overall for the two-point win and can reflect on a solid first season under Flanagan who has guided them to 12 wins from 15 competitive games.

All the talk beforehand was about the impact of the elements and the searing heat but a stiff wind which aided Kildare initially was even more influential.

Kirwan used the wind advantage to drill two two-pointers in the opening 20 minutes and Callum Bolton notched another. Daniel Flynn tried for one too but his effort flew wide.

Kildare were in a healthy position at the 20-minute stage with a 1-10 to 1-03 lead, bouncing back in powerful fashion after falling three points behind early on.

Limerick captain Cillian Fahy scored their first goal in the seventh minute, pouncing on the follow up after Emmet Rigter's initial attempt was blocked.

What a start for the Treaty men!

Cillian Fahy reacts quickest to fire them into the lead in their Tailteann Cup final against Kildare.

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Kildare reeled off 1-07 without response between the 11th and 19th minutes to take firm control of the game.

The scores seemed to come easier for the Leinster semi-finalists who opened up with some terrific football and punished Limerick with a high press on Josh Ryan's kick-outs.

Beirne's 14th minute goal, for example, came after Kildare won a Ryan kick-out and worked the ball back in at pace, Beirne playing a neat one-two before finishing smartly to the bottom corner.

A strong reponse from Kildare - and they get their goal, a beautifully composed effort from Alex Beirne

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But just as soon as Kildare had gained apparent control of the game, Limerick came roaring back into it, cutting the gap to just two points at one stage.

Now it was their time to enjoy a scoring blitz, reeling off five points in a row.

Danny Neville was excellent for them in this period and while Limerick wasted a couple of decent score chances, they still picked off enough scores to haul themselves right back into contention.

Kildare finished the half stronger, opening up a 1-13 to 1-09 lead at the interval, but Limerick remained in a strong position with the wind advantage to come.

And they seized the opportunity with both hands, dominating the third quarter of the game to turn that four-point deficit into a two-point lead with 20 minutes to go, 2-15 to 1-16.

Wing-back Tony McCarthy pinched back-to-back points for Limerick before goalkeeper Ryan boomed a two-pointer.

Veteran Iain Corbett and Nash added points to narrow the gap and when Killian Ryan netted with a shot that deflected in off Brian Byrne, Limerick supporters were in dreamland with that two-point advantage.

But Kildare hit another purple patch just when it counted down the home stretch, wrestling back control of the game.

A two-pointer for McLoughlin ignited them and there were timely points too from Kirwan, Tommy Gill, Kevin Feely and Colm Dalton before Limerick whipped up that late drama right at the death.

Kildare: Cian Burke; Brian Byrne, Ryan Burke, Harry O'Neill; Tommy Gill (0-1), David Hyland, James McGrath; Kevin Feely (0-02, 0-01f), Brendan Gibbons; Callum Bolton (0-02, tp), Darragh Kirwan (0-08, 2 tp), Colm Dalton (0-02); Ryan Sinkey (0-03), Alex Beirne (1-02), Daniel Flynn (0-01).

Subs: Jack McKevitt for McGrath 43, Brian McLoughlin (0-03, 1 tp) for Gibbons 43, Eoin Cully for Daniel Flynn 47, Mick O'Grady for Burke 66.

Limerick: Josh Ryan (0-03, 1 tpf, 0-01 45); Jason Hassett, Darren O'Doherty, Mark McCarthy; Killian Ryan (1-01), Iain Corbett (0-01), Tony McCarthy (0-03); Tommie Childs (0-01), Darragh O'Hagan; Paul Maher, Cillian Fahy (1-01), Danny Neville (0-01); Emmet Rigter (0-02), James Naughton (0-02, 0-02f), Peter Nash (0-03, 0-01f).

Subs: Barry Coleman for Childs 16-20, blood, Darragh Murray for O'Hagan 43, Coleman for Maher 47, Rob Childs for Rigter 55, Tadgh O Siochru for Corbett 61, Rory O'Brien (0-1) for Tommie Childs 66.

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo).

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