Comment: Lilies bring Ennis alive — before, during and after the game

Sure it was never in any doubt said a Kildare fan, tongue-in-cheek, on Sunday as we exited Cusack Park, Ennis, following Kildare's smash-and-grab performance against Clare; a game that looked all but done and dusted before The Lilies decided maybe there was something it for them, shook themselves down and despite being down to 14 players from the 50 minute, hit the final four points, all in time added on, to record their first win of this Division 2 series.

There may only have been 2,692 fans at the game but surely at least sixty per cent were shouting on The Lilies who traveled in big numbers, most had taken up residents some 24 hours earlier. Regardless where one went the evening prior to the game there were Kildare fans in abundance.

No doubt a big boost for the local economy and certainly for the various and various hoteliers, in one of the most friendly towns we have traveled to over the years, bar none.

They came as far away as Maynooth, Kilcock, Leixlip and Celbridge. Needless to say Naas and Newbridge were well represented, along with Ballyteague, Allenwood, Castledermot, Athy, you could go on and on.

Raheens' Gooch was in flying form, last time we met him here he was celebrating his 21st; think he thought he was 21 again.

Some were even celebrating birthdays — Jumpin' Johnny Peters and Georgina O'Rourke amongst them. Most had no reason to blow out a candle or two but that is not to say they did not enjoy themselves.

Declan and Marie Gilligan were in top form; the Hanniffy's were well represented (when the Hanniffy's travel they travel in big numbers) and a duet between Ann Marie Higgins and Paul Hanniffy was one of the highlights of the evening.

We bumped into Sos Dowling who was giving Jumpin' Johnny a hand to celebrate while an auld friend of ours, Dale Hynan, was spotted with Snowball Conlon. The bauld Dale took umbrage with a report in the Leinster Leader when this writer described his performance in a particular game as a player “uninterested.”

The Allenwood man admitted the description “was probably right” but added “but there was no need to print it.”

Frankie Durney, boiled egg in pocket in case of emergencies (his words not mine) was keeping a close eye on his beloved Leeds in the Premiership on Saturday, along with Christy Meade.

Kieran and Caroline Murray were in top form when we bumped into them while a Dub in the company, Iano, as he is affectionately known, was certainly having a “smashing” time.

Mrs (Mary) Heffernan from Nurney and Liam were spotted as usual as was Jack Donnelly and a few other former players, all more than happy to come away with two precious points.

As for the game itself, well it is not often Kildare come away with a win in a tight game and especially in Ennis.

The opening half was poor from a Kildare point of view and even before the final flourish arrived there is little doubt the second half display was a hell of a lot better than what preceded it.

The full back line of O'Grady, Ryan and Houlihan did very well in that second 35+ minutes while Neil Flynn and Daniel Flynn excelled when introduced.

Patsy Foley, of Kill fame, a great Kildare supporter who rarely misses a game was singing the praise of her favourite player, Daniel Flynn.

“You make sure he gets the Man of the Match Award” she said after the game; “only for him we were beaten.”

And who am I to disagree with Patsy Foley!

Meanwhile its congrats to Martin Whyte of Kilcullen fame who has been reappointed as Leinster Referees Development Chairman for the three years; also the Leinster rep on the national referees committee.

Also to Co Secretary Christine Murray who has been appointed to the Leinster PRO Committee while Mick Mullins (Celbridge) is on the Leinster Hearings Committee.

Next up Derry. Sunday. Bring it on!