Down clash is a chance for Kildare hurlers to start strong
Daragh Nolan looks ahead as the Kildare hurlers begin their Allianz Hurling League Division 2 campaign this weekend
Kildare face familiar foes Down in their opening Allianz Hurling League Division 2 clash.
The game is set for Saturday, January 25 at 2pm in McKenna Park. The restructuring of the hurling leagues means that these two sides, both previously in 2A, will join up with the 2B crowd for a busy set of upcoming fixtures.
There was little to separate Kildare and Down in the table last year with both sides achieving two wins, two losses, and a draw against one another.
The Lilies’ slow start in 2024 put them out of the promotion race early and, with relegation not an option, they regrouped well with some much improved later performances.
The Christy Ring Cup was an essential success for Kildare and Brian Dowling last year, even after the Kilkenny man’s first year in charge was plagued by injuries early on.
An opening Division 2A loss to Meath and a frustrating draw against this weekend’s opponents Down to put The Lilywhites in a peculiar spot.
There was no shame in drawing away to a fine hurling outfit like Down, but two penalties missed and the concession of late frees certainly did not please the Kildare boss. That being said, it was the first point earned under their new manager, but he was made to hold his breath while Pearse Óg McCrickard took aim at Paddy McKenna’s posts deep into injury time to win it.
However, this time around Kildare have a year of hurling under their belt with their manager and likely a much deeper understanding of what they are hoping to achieve on the field. Kildare were often very direct under Dowling in 2024 and also slightly wasteful because of it. Their long, searching balls into the forward line were regularly poorly chosen in the early parts of last year. The hurried building of attacks is also not always necessary with superb ball-handlers like Simon Leacy and James Burke operating in the centre of the team.
Discipline
Down are not meek in how they operate and Kildare were afforded efforts at the posts time and time again in their last encounter.
As well as the two penalties awarded, of which he missed one, Jack Sheridan scored 12 frees in Kildare’s last visit to McKenna Park. These encounters are also often rife with a certain competitive spirit and, with some fiery characters of their own, The Lilies will need to maintain a cool demeanour on their return to competitive hurling action. An opening day loss to Down because of dismissals or excessive fouling would be a huge dampener on what should be an exciting year for Kildare hurling.
The Lilies’ return to the Joe McDonagh and tackling of this new look Division 2 all starts in Ballycran this weekend.
The additional point to having necessary discipline will be to punish any absence of it on the opposing side. Consistent chances at the sticks ought to be taken and, if Kildare are more efficient this time around, they will be discussing a win on the long drive back to the short grass county.
Kildare’s and Down’s respective star scorers will of course be an enormous factor in this clash. The Naas man hit 1-12 of his side’s 1-24 (55%) and McCrickard nailed 0-10 of Down’s 1-24 (37%) when they last met.
It has been an excellent few years for the Liatroim Fontenoys dual-star with an Ulster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship in 2022 and a county Intermediate football title the year. McCrickard was also named on the Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year in 2023. All that is to say that he’s an excellent hurler and Kildare will be entirely familiar with what he provides for his side.
As well as stellar scoring, McCrickard has a deft touch with a hurl and combines well with the likes of Daniel Toner, Eoghan Sands and his brother Ruairi.
Sheridan was a standout player for Kildare in 2024 and they will need him to continue that into what will be a much tougher year.
The preparation for the increase in quality for the Joe McDonagh starts now and the Naas forward needs to hit the ground running. If he can put up anything like 1-12 again, Kildare have a good shot at a positive result.
Kildare have a great chance in this game and, as they might see it, can right the wrongs of last February. Despite the flaws of The Lilies’ previous visit, they were impressive on the road and have the ability to get this campaign off to a super start up North.
The bulk of Division 2 hurling action will take place on January 26, the day after Kildare face Down, and what better way to lay down a marker than to plant yourself on top of the table, for a little while at least.