COMMENT: It’s a long road that has no turning for Kildare
The old adage ‘it’s a long road that has no turning’ sprang to mind as we departed O’Connor Park, Tullamore after Kildare exited this season’s Leinster SFC
There’s an old adage that goes along the lines of ‘it’s a long road that has no turning’ and it sprang to mind as we departed O’Connor Park, Tullamore, on Sunday afternoon after Kildare exited this season’s Leinster Senior Football Championship.
A long road indeed and while the last time The Lilies graced Croker on Leinster final day was back in 2022 having also been in it two years previously. It seems a lot longer than just four years. Prior to that it was in 2017, 2009, 2002 and 2003 and of course 2000.
In other words we have not been crowned Leinster champions since Micko’s reign when defeating Dublin in 2000 and, of course in 1998. Prior to that the last win was all the way back to 1956 when the Leinster Cup came to Lilywhiteland, despite having been in eight finals between 1956 and 1998 – losing the lot of them. It is one horrible record.
And are we any closer today in bridging that gap I wonder to myself?
Well I would suggest we are in a better place today than we were at the end of this season’s Allianz Football League. Yes, we are out of Leinster for this year but remember there wasn’t even a kick of a ball between Kildare and Westmeath after normal time. Yes I know there were five points in it in the end after extra time, so in normal time there was absolutely nothing separating them.
So despite all the disappointment, all the criticism, all the heartbreak, Kildare may not be as far away as one might think. And remember there is still the All-Ireland Series to come.
Yes, indeed, in four or five weeks time The Lilies will be competing with the big boys. Competing with one of the provincial finalists. Coming face-to-face with counties who have genuine reasons to feel optimistic of lifting the Sam Maguire Cup.
Certainly something to look forward to. No doubt the defeat to Westmeath was heart-breaking.
Heartbreaking for the players who have endured a torrid season in 2026. Heartbreaking for Brian Flanagan and his management team. Heartbreaking for the fans who spend their hard earned cash following their favourites.
But having said that, the attendance from a Kildare point of view last Sunday was very disappointing. With a crowd of 12,086 in O’Connor Park, Tullamore, the Westmeath fans out-numbered Kildare by thousands, possibly The Lake County had double the numbers that Kildare brought, and that at the very least.
Having said that, I was told that in the game against Meath, the boys in maroon were outnumbered to a similar degree as Kildare were last weekend. Support is fickle, very fickle.
The days when Croke Park was a sea of white are but a distant memory nowadays. 1998 is a long time ago.
And remember in the season that is a mere two years away, it will be no less than a century since Sam last came on his holidays to Kildare. Horrible, horrible statistics.
Still everything should not be all doom and gloom.
We have the U20s in a Leinster final this week when Niall Cronin brings his charges to Parnell Park to take on Louth, who are in their third U20 final in a row, having won one and last one. That will be another big test for The Lilies, Louth have no less than nine of the side who defeated Longford in the semi-final a week or so ago, that lined out against Tyrone in the All-Ireland final last year. So one mighty task facing those players come Wednesday.
Still they are a talented side, one would expect a number of them to get a call to the senior ranks, sooner rather than later. There was a lot to like about the side that booked a place in the final last week with an impressive win over Meath. And it wasn’t just the fact that they won. No. It was the manner of the victory.
Kildare last won this championship back in 2023, having also won it the previous year, going on to win the All-Ireland final that year (2023) having been beaten in the final the previous year also.
Reaching provincial finals is something not to be sniffed at and while winning can be a tremendous boost, getting to deciders can always be a guide to the state of football within any county.
Regardless how that game goes, we can still look forward to the upcoming All-Ireland Series and now it has emerged our opponents will be no less a team than Galway, well that should certainly whet the appetite.
My God if ever there was a team that Kildare deserved to get one over on it is Galway. 1998 All-Ireland final. 2000 All-Ireland semi-final.
That game at the end of May will bring back the memories. Hopefully it will bring back the crowds as well. Time to start dreaming again.
It’s a long road that has no turning. We’ve been on it a fair few years now, time we saw that much sought after bend. In the meantime, keep the faith!