Kildare keep 100% record with pace and power too much for Laois

Kildare 0-21

Laois 0-9

The roller-coaster of the 2025 Allianz Football League for Kildare continued on Saturday evening at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, when in front of a mighty attendance of 6,950, saw Brian Flanagan's side record their fourth straight victory when defeating neighbours Laois by no less than a dozen points.

It was The Lilies second time this season to reverse losses incurred in 2024 having already defeated Fermanagh in the opening round.

Now with wins over the aforementioned Fermanagh, Sligo, Leitrim and now Laois, it keeps Kildare firmly on track for promotion, the no. 1 objective of 2025.

Beating neighbours, Laois, always brings a lot of satisfaction, especially for those close to the border and this win was certainly no exception.

Kildare came out of the blocks, for the second game in a row, like lightening, blitzing their opponents who found themselves five points down after just five minutes.

The boys in blue looked had no answer to the pace, power and the physicality of the home side and when one considers that it could have, and should have been worse as Kildare had a great chance to find the net on their very first attack of the game, which ended with Cathal Hagney punching over inside the opening minute.

A minute later and Ben McCormack hit a booming two-pointer quickly followed by two single points from Niall Kelly to make it 0-5 to no score with five minutes showing on the magnificent new score board down at the Kilcullen end of the ground.

Playing advantage, which nothing came from, play was brought back for a Laois free but Mark Barry failed to find the posts.

The wing forward, usually a very accurate free taker, had a bit of a nightmare start only converting on the fourth attempt, mostly from the same area of the pitch and it was not until the 19 minute that he found his range. However, before that Ronan Coffey had opened the Laois account on nine minutes but Kildare quickly responded with Alex Beirne finding Callum Bolton and the Sarsfields hit the second two-pointer of the game.

A tap over free from Alex Beirne after the ball was brought forward for dissent, the Naas man making it 0-8 to 0-1 with 12 minutes on the clock.

Mark Barry finally landed his side's second point but there was no stopping Kildare as they dominated, moved the ball at pace with the front men putting their opposite numbers under constant pressure.

Alex Beirne added a point wile Mark Barry replied with a free but immediately Ben McCormack, showing a great pace, outstripped his marker to fire over and Kildare were in double figures as the score board showed 25 minutes.

The Kildare defence, as a unit, was playing exceptionally well, all six in top form with Brian Byrne, organising the defence expertly while Ryan Burke in the opposite corner showed great pace and defensive skill on a number of occasions.

Another player in white, Cathal Hagney, was having a right good game and when he was fouled up stepped Kevin Feely but his two-pointer effort went wide of the post.

Brian Byrne, that is the Laois full back, picked up a yellow for a 'tackle' on Hagney as The Lilies continued to work extremely hard all over the pitch, turning the ball over on numerous occasions.

Darragh Swords, getting his first start, picked up a long ball that went over the head of Kevin Feely, the Caragh man on hand to gather, turn and fire over.

James McGrath was in top form at no. 6 and he sent up David Hyland, the Athy man once again enjoying an excellent game splitting the posts for the last point of the half that ended with Kildare in a commanding lead of 0-12 to 0-3.

The second half began in similar fashion that the opening half ended, this time Darragh Swords getting his second of the game; a point that Ronan Coffey quickly replied to for Laois.

Kildare carved out a great goal chance on 39 minutes with Niall Kelly working way through the Laois defence but his effort went high and over the bar.

Laois lost a man for ten minutes when corner back, Pa Kirwin was rightly sent to the bin for a pull down on Cathal Hagney.

It was Hagney who was responsible for the next Kildare point, quickly followed by substitute, Brian McLoughlin, second half sub who had a fine game, finding the range.

A brilliant turn-over saw Kildare advance and not for the first time had the Laois keeper Killian Roche frantically attempting to get back to his goals.

David Hyland advanced showing great pace but his effort went left and wide of the post.

Brian McLoughlin hit point no 17 for Kildare; Kevin Feely got his name on the score sheet with a fine point while 'keeper Didier Cordonnier converted a 45.

Laois hit two points on the trot through Seamus Lacey and Josh Hogan as Darragh Swords saw his goal attempt come off the upright.

Dan Flynn, a second half substitute, combined with Kevin Feely, the Athy man getting his second point of the game.

Conor Heffernan replied for the visitors before Ryan Sinkey saw his effort find the crossbar with keeper Roche again out of position, indeed it is fair to say that Killian Roche was somewhat fortunate to end the game without conceding a goal as he was caught out of position on a number of occasions.

Raheens' Niall Dolan, making his first appearance in the League, knocked up Kildare's 21st and final point while Mark Barry and Pa Kirwin got two back for Laois as the final whistle arrived, much to the delight of the big Kildare attendance, as the score board read Kildare 0-21 Laois 0-9.

Four from four, undefeated and sitting pretty on top of Division 3, Kildare can no look forward with confidence as they travel to Ennis to take on Clare next Sunday.

Overall a fine display from Kildare, albeit against an extremely poor and disappointing Laois side who knocked Kildare out of the Tailteann Cup last season by five points.

But this is a different Kildare side, fitter, sharper, focused and after four wins, not short on confidence.

One more win and they can start seriously thinking of promotion by still there are three game remaining, away to Clare; followed by a two week break before travelling to O'Connor Park to take on Mickey Harte's Offaly and then finishing off their League campaign when Antrim will be the visitors to Cedral Park, Newbridge.

So far so good.

But first it's off to Ennis where no doubt Kildare fans will travel in big numbers to support their favourites.

MAIN MAN

No shortage of Kildare contenders here, Ryan Burke, Brian Byrne, James McGrath were excellent while Jack McKevitt and David Hyland were not far behind; Cathal Hagney enjoyed a great game while up front Niall Kelly, Alex Beirne, Darragh Swords all did well, overall the accolade goes to Cathal Hagney.

TURNING POINT

The opening five minutes saw Laois go five behind in five minutes and they never really recovered from that start, chasing the game from there on.

TALKING POINT

A lot to be very impressed with from Brian Flanagan's charges. They began, just like against Leitrim the previous week, tearing into the opposition with some great play, direct play and effective play. A joy to look at and a display that gives great hope for the rest of the season.

WHAT NOW?

Back on the road next weekend when The Lilies travel to Ennis to take on Clare where a win for the boys in white would certainly edge them to that much sought-after promotion spot

SCOERES

Kildare: Ben McCormack 0-3 (one two-pointer), Niall Kelly 0-3, Callum Bolton 0-2 (two-pointer), Alex Beirne 0-2, Kevin Feely 0-2, Darragh Swords 0-2, Brian McLoughlin 0-2, Cathal Hagney 0-2, David Hyland 0-1, Niall Dolan 0-1 Didier Cordonnier 0-1 (45).

Laois: Mark Barry 0-3 (2 frees), Ronan Coffey 0-2, Pa Kirwin 0-1, Conor Heffernan 0-1, Josh Hogan 0-1, Seamus Lacey 0-1.

TEAMS

Kildare: Didier Cordonnier; Ryan Burke, Mick O'Grady, Brian Byrne; Jack McKevitt, James McGrath, David Hyland; Callum Bolton, Cathal Hagney; Colm Dalton, Alex Beirne, Darragh Swords; Niall Kelly, Kevin Feely cpt, Ben McCormack. Subs: Brian McLoughlin for Ben McCormack (41 minutes); Ryan Sinkey for Colm Dalton (41 minutes); Ryan Brady for Daniel O'Reilly (50 minutes); Daniel Flynn for Callum Bolton (52 minutes); Mark Dempsey for Mick O'Grady (60 minutes); Niall Dolan for Cathal Hagney (68 minutes).

Laois: Killian Roche; Simon Fingleton, Brian Byrne cpt, Padraig Kirwan; Patrick O'Sullivan, Kevin Swayne, Trevor Collins; Conor Heffernan, Damon Larkin; Mark Barry, Ben Dempsey, Niall Corbet; Seamus Lacey, Daniel O'Reilly, Ronan Coffey. Subs: Josh Hogan for Patrick O'Sullivan (half-time); Fionn Holland for Niall Corbet (58 minutes); Jonah Kelly for Brian Byrne (58 minutes); Cathal Lee for Ronan Coffey (67 minutes).

REFEREE: Conor Lane.