COMMENT: Even the seagulls came and went as Kildare reached Tailteann Cup final
Tommy Callaghan discusses Kildare reaching the Tailteann Cup final with Fermanagh win, Brian McLoughlin's starring sub appearance, and Neil Flynn rejoining the panel
From the press area high up in the Hogan Stand, it was, at times, difficult to distinguish the many, many white seagulls from the white shirted Kildare players.
The flock of gulls arrived mid-way through the opening half, soon followed by enough rain to test the pitch to its limits.
The gulls swarmed around Headquarters, at times, showing more movement and elegance than what was on view in the Tailteann Cup semi-final.
And while the 'hooter' saw the seagulls depart as quickly as they arrived, unfortunately the football we saw during their presence remained for the remainder of that opening period.
It was dire stuff.
Kildare looked like a side, at times, playing with the fear factor, unable, or unwilling to show the skills we have seen throughout
this season.
They lacked a player, at times, who would take on an opponent, instead fell back into old habits of playing zonal football, going across the playing surface, backwards, and across, much to annoyance, and disappointment, of those in attendance.
Having said all that they still looked a cut above their opponents, Fermanagh, a side they defeated by no less than fifteen points a little over four months previously in the opening round of the Allianz Football League at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge.
There was a lot at stake that evening back then too, the opening game in Division 3, a game if they were to escape from the depths of this division, that fell into the 'must-win' category and, in fairness, win they did.
But for some reason this was different as for long periods they seemed unable or unwilling, to make that vital break, to attack their opponents at pace and to take the scores that were they created for themselves.
Yes, of course, conditions were poor, no, worse than poor, they were testing in the extreme, the torrential rain making underfoot conditions extremely slippy, made handling a big test, and scoring and kicking next to impossible.
The second half though, we felt would surely see improvement; not only in the conditions but in the manner of the play.
In fact the opening quarter of the second half was nearly a replica of what we had witnessed in the first and, hard to believe, at times even worse as the wides tally began to mount up, despite the boys in white dominating possession.
Suddenly the seagulls reappeared, swarming around the place followed by another downpour that if it was golf players would be called in until the conditions improve.
But this is Croke Park; no calling-in; the same for both teams, tough and all as it was.
Time for change though.
Time to test the bench.
Time to shuffle the pack.
Time to play the ace card.
And that 'card' duly arrived, in the form of Brian McLoughlin.
Unlike his club colleagues in Clane, who conceded the final senior league game to Sarsfields on Saturday evening, the bauld 'Mackie' turned up and saw this as an opportunity, as did a few other lads who followed him, but it was the no. 24 who led the charge.
Point, point, two-pointer, point and we were on our way.
Other late comers in the form of Naas man Jack McKevitt and Moorefield's Aaron Masterson, added to that final flourish, that was topped off with a brilliant goal from one of this season's new men on the block, James McGrath.
The Athy no. 7, has enjoyed a great season, and finding Kildare's opponents net for the third time in three consecutive games, shows his worth to the team, not just last weekend but throughout the season.
His goal was the icing on the cake.
The hooter arrived again, the gulls scattered for the second time while also signalling Kildare's march to the final of The Tailteann Cup.
A strange competition is this Tailteann.
A competition that few want to play in.
A competition that informs the GAA world of the standing of each county.
And apart from taking a bit of silverware if successful at the end of the day, a competition that the winners are over the moon to win as it guarantees they won't be playing in it again the following season.
We won't go into all that at this stage suffice to say that the winner of the 2025 Tailteann will gain a passport into the Sam Maguire Cup come 2026.
So a lot of stake.
Kildare's opponents, Limerick, in few weeks time, The Treaty County pulled the rug from under our neighbours Wicklow in the opening game on Sunday.
It seemed Oisín McConville's lads had their passage to the final all but guaranteed when a combination of a give-away goal, a missed penalty saw Limerick go from seven points adrift, to winning by no less than four and it should be noted, hitting no less than 1-9, with no replay from The Garden County Boys.
What a win.
What a disappointment.
But that's the joys of sport.
The layers don't let one poor performance upset their odds though as can be seen with The Lilies installed as hot favs to win in a few weeks time.
Kildare's record in Croker, as has been pointed out of late, makes very poor reading.
Following Sunday's win, it now reads in the last 25 games — four wins and 21 losses.
But, of course, as Brian Flanagan pointed out that has nothing to do with this group of players.
Still back-to-back wins at Headquarters, come three weeks time, would also bring another very poor statistic to an end.
The last time The Lilies made in two wins on the trot in Croke Park was back in 1998.
Time for that to be rectified.
In the meantime a lot of work to be done.
A lot of talking to be done.
A lot of decisions to be made.
And while it is great to be playing on All-Ireland SFC semi-final day, let's hope the next time that happens, it will not be in a Tailteann Cup final.
If you can't dream ...
Maynooth man, Neil Flynn, it was confirmed, has returned from Down Under and has rejoined the Kildare panel (pony-tail and all) with manager Flanagan confirming he has returned in fine shape.
Interesting to say the very least.