Limerick can score; who will for Kildare in Tailteann Cup final?
Daragh Nolan analyses the scoring options and output of Tailteann Cup finalists Kildare and Limerick ahead of this weekend's second-tier decider in Croke Park
Kildare have a rotten ol’ record in Croke Park and Saturday’s Tailteann Cup final is a chance for this team to walk away with a national title and lift a trophy aloft in the Hogan Stand. Now more than ever, it is time for Kildare’s attacking contingent to come alive and show their worth.
It is a matter of if not now, when?
The Lilies’ 1-13 to 0-9 win over Fermanagh was a meek effort at best. However, semi-finals can often conjure more nerves than the decider itself with teams fearful of failing to reach that all or nothing shot at glory. The freedom of knowing it is now or never will hopefully set Kildare free from the shackles of what held them to such a paltry score last time out. Their Tailteann Cup final opponents have hit 6-60 in their last three games to Kildare’s 6-49, but have also conceded 2-13 more than Brian Flanagan’s Lilies. Those Kildare forwards should be licking their chops at the prospect.
Limerick
To set the table for this call to action, you have to look at Limerick’s record and particularly that of their forwards. The Tailteann Cup is not loaded front to back with high-quality sides, but Limerick did edge Westmeath 0-19 to 0-18 in their final group game for one of their results of the year before racking up 4-21 and 2-17 against Wexford and Wicklow in the knockouts respectively.
Danny Neville and James Naughton present Limerick’s best route through The Lilies with the former registering 3-6 in their last three and Naughton pointing 0-19 in that same period.
Ballysteen full-forward Neville caught the eye in Croke Park recently with an exceptional goal in his side’s semi-final clash with Wicklow. Neville received possession between the ‘45 and midfield before taking off a run, overpowering marker Malachy Stone, and then coolly finding the net. Kildare have afforded plenty of forwards too much space this year and have escaped severe punishment. Neville could be the man to inflict at the worst possible time. It will likely be the job of Mark Dempsey to keep him quiet and that battle could prove crucial in this game.
Wing-forward Naughton has been a consistent points scorer for his side but, much like Alex Beirne, had an unusually quiet semi-final return. That being said, his 0-8 against Westmeath was the outstanding contribution to his side's upset win as he outscored the man who gave Kildare huge trouble in the 2025 Leinster Championship, Luke Loughlin. Naughton hit one more than Loughlin on the day his side edged Westmeath by a single point. Giving the St. Senan’s man too much space in retreat would be a damaging mistake.
A solid addition to the Limerick scoring is towering goalkeeper Josh Ryan who has chipped with a fair few this year and managed 0-4 against Wicklow with a couple of super efforts from outside the arc.
Alex Beirne
After this year’s Tailteann Cup quarter-final with Offaly, this writer was ready to confirm Alex Beirne as Kildare’s new star man. The Naas forward hit 0-7 amongst an exceptional all-around performance. Beirne has a fiery and competitive petulance and demands things of others. That coupled with a willingness to shoulder responsibility and bags of talent means that he is ready to lead Kildare from the front.
Kildare GAA’s top online statesman Richard Commins shared on X that Beirne has played 27% (15) of his 55 Kildare games this year but registered 72% of his scoring tally in this year’s games (4-74 out of 7-98). The Naas man has come to the fore in white this year in more ways than just scoring and it is encouraging to see both his leadership and ability to raise flags of all three colours.
The above soaring compliments have not been diminished by one lacklustre display and 0-1 scored, but a decider in which The Lilies can win a national title in Croke Park presents the perfect opportunity for Beirne to show what he is all about and grab this game by the scruff, and I believe he can do it.
Brian McLoughlin
Who will be the man to join Alex Beirne in standing up to be counted on the scoreboard? Ryan Sinkey has consistently chipped in throughout a busy year for the young forward. Daniel Flynn’s return has been exciting but has yet to truly ignite in the knockout phase of the Tailteann. Darragh Kirwan is of course another player who is exceptional in full flight but has struggled to find his shooting boots this year and has not been aided by not yet playing three games in a row in 2025.
The Kildare player that emerged with the most shine from their Tailteann semi was 45th minute substitute Brian McLoughlin.
The Clane forward had little to no say on their previous clash with Offaly after being subbed on so late, but entered the Fermanagh clash with game tied at 0-7 each and completely changed the course of things.
McLoughlin hit 0-5 of the remaining 1-6 that Kildare scored and in truth kicked them into the final that they find themselves in now. He has surely done all he can to earn a starting place against Limerick.
As alluded to at the beginning, it is a case for Kildare of if not now, when? It is time to step up to the mark from front to back and The Lilies most certainly have the players to get the desired result this weekend. It is time to lift a trophy in the Hogan Stand.
Cill Dara Abú!