An honour and a privilege to lead Kildare says captain Paddy McKenna

Kildare team captain, and goalkeeper, Paddy McKenna, may be just 29 years of age but he has been part and parcel of Kildare hurling for some years at this stage.

Kildare have four Christy Ring Cup final victories to their credit and remarkably the Clane man has been involved in all four and is very anxious to add to that haul when he leads out Kildare in Croke Park on Sunday with Derry standing in his way as he, and his county, attempt to make it five wins.

Paddy was part of the Kildare panel back in 2014 when understudy to the great Paul Dermody when they defeated Kerry in the final as he was four years later when they defeated London.

Two years later and Paddy had stepped up to no. 1 jersey when the boys in white defeated Down 3-16 to 2-22, however due to illness on the day, had to step aside and ironically it was his club mate, Mark Doyle, who got the opportunity to show his talents and that he did in some style as Kildare coming out on top against Down 3-16 to 0-22.

The 2022 decider saw McKenna back between the sticks as The Lilies made it four final victories defeating Mayo in the decider that day2-29 to 0-19.

And so after two victories for manager David Herity followed by the disappointing display in 2023 in the Joe McDonagh, Kildare, and Paddy McKenna, find themselves back in Croker in search of more silverware, and possibly even more importantly an opportunity to book a place in hurling's Tier 2 competition, the Joe McDonagh Cup.

While the Clane man takes up the mantle from Brian Byrne this time around, he admits that being captain is not an extra burden on him.

“Great to be getting back to the final but the most important thing now is to win it and no, it is not a burden being captain, an honour, a great honour he admits but I just go out and play my game; I'm not a big talker in the dressing room, probably more vocal out on the pitch during a game.”

Paddy McKenna knows Derry very well having played against them on many occasions while admitting that the Derry boys will be well aware of Kildare's strengths and weaknesses as they see them.

“Derry a strong team; physical, they get in your face and will have no fear of us but that is what you want; backboned with those Slaughtneil lads who have enjoyed incredible success; we know what lies ahead; no cake walk; hopefully a good game and we come out on top.

Paddy admits that the London game was a tough physical game and a great game to have two weeks prior to the final.

“London game was tough just as we expected, it is not an easy place to go, our record there has not been great; that trip can take a lot out of lads despite only a hour's flight but it's different than any other game and a great boost to win on their home turf.”

Any major difference in the approach of Brian Dowling from the previous boss David Herity”

“Each manager puts their own stamp on things but at the end of the day it is still hurling; it's all about consistency; we were disappointed with last year and the way it ended but we had a big gap from end of last year to the start of this year and thankfully we are now back on track and in the final.”

Puck-outs are so important and vital in the modern day, something that McKenna is more than aware of.

“Ye, it's free possession, ball in your hand, no one near you, 30 or 40 times in a game and if you can make profit from that you will be flying; a very important part of the modern game.”