Kildare crash out of Tailteann Cup against Laois

Laois 2-11

Kildare 0-12

The half-time in this Tailteann Cup quarter-final at O'Connor Park, Tullamore, the sides were locked together, Kildare 0-7 Laois 1-4.

Kildare, playing in their third different 'home' pitch in 2024 had been aided with the stiffish breeze on their backs, they had a lot of possession but, not for the first time this season, did not turn that possession into scores on to the score board.

The indications were there at the break, Laoise certainly went into the dressing rooms the happier side knowing they had held the favourites and would not benefit with the wind in their favour.

In the opening twelve minutes of this game Kildare had no less than eight scoring opportunities.

The first failed to find the target; the second a fine point from Darragh Kirwan after Kevin Feely had executed an excellent turnover; the third was an effort from Paddy McDermott that saw Killian Roche in the Laois goals deny the Naas man pushing out the ball for a 45 which was not converted; two more wides followed before a Kevin Feely mark was brought forward, upgraded to a free and Shane Farrell converted from the 45m line.

Twelve minutes gone, eight attempts and Kildare led 0-2 to no score.

The writing was on the wall, the fragility of the Kildare attack that we have seen so often this season was in full evidence for all to see.

Laois after a 'short' and a wide opened their account with an Evan O'Carroll point and by the 15 minute Niall Dunne added a second, despite the umpire looking like he hadn't a clue whether it was over or not but the referee rightly instructing the white flag to be waved.

Darragh Kirwan got his second and Kildare's third on 16 minutes but Laois were to hit Kildare with a real body-blow on 18 minutes.

James Kelly made a great run through the heart of the Kildare defence before being 'stopped' by Shea Ryan; penalty.

Up stepped Mark Barry to find the net with ease and Laois were in front 1-2 to 0-3 and to add salt to the wound the Sarsfields man was shown a black card and was off for a ten minute rest.

Ironically before Kildare would be restored to the full compliment again, they played the best football of this game.

Kevin Feely hit a brilliant point off his left peg; Darragh Kirwan added his third; Niall Kelly hit a peach of a pass to Shane Farrell who split the posts and Farrell converted a 45 to make it Kildare 0-7 Laois 1-2.

Laois hit back with two points before the break with Mark Barry and Conor Heffernan, following a quick free by Dunne to Heffernan who made no mistake to make it Kildare 0-7 Laois 1-4 as the players made their way to the dressing rooms.

As stated the stiff breeze would be aiding Justin McNulty's side but Kildare had the first opportunity to take the lead after a foul on Brian Byrne saw Darragh Kirwan gain possession, the Naas man was fouled but the free was missed from 35m out by Shane Farrell.

Laois hit the lead on 41 minutes and it was a lead they were never to lose.

A long ball into the Kildare danger saw Ryan Burke foul his opponent and Mark Barry fired over; quickly followed by a long-range converted from keeper Killian Roche to leave two between the sides on 43 minutes.

A high ball saw Kildare fans on their fee as Kevin Feely looked to be fouled but the referee was having none of it; Laois broke away, gained a free some 65m out but came keeper Roche again to duly fire the leather over the black spot and when Paul

Kingston got his only point of the game Laois now led 1-8 to 0-7, 48 minutes one and Kildare yet to score in the second half.

Niall Kelly ended that near 20 minute drought with a fine point.

Kevin Feely and Conor Heffernan picked up yellows after a bit of scuffle; from the throw-in Feely gained possession, was fouled and Shane Farrell converted to cut the lead back to two points.

A poor kick-out saw Eoin Lowry raise a white flag; Shane Farrell replied with a beauty but goal no 2 arrived on 57 when a long ball in from Brian Byrne (Laois) was not cleared and Evan Carroll made no mistake to find the net. Laois were denied another by Mark Donnellan and Brian Byrne (Kildare) but Killian Roche made no mistake from the resultant 45.

Paddy Woodgate saw his goal attempt hit the upright and while Shane Farrell (free) and Alex Beirne added Kildare points, the final score of the game came from that man Killian Roche who fired over to leave the final score reading Laois 2-11 Kildare 0-12.

It has been an extremely disappointing season for Kildare; but this was probably one of their most disappointing displays of the year.

Laois fully deserved their win and they will now play Antrim in the semi-final.

For Kildare, it's the end of the road of a season best forgotten but one that will have repercussions for many a season to come.

SCORERS

Laois: Mark Barry 1-2 (penalty, free), Evan O'Carroll 1-1, Killian Roche 0-4 (3 frees, 45), Conor Heffernan 0-1, Niall Dunne 0-1, Paul Kingston 0-1, Eoin Lowry 0-1.

Kildare: Shane Farrell 0-6 (3 frees, 45), Darragh Kirwan 0-3, Kevin Feely 0-1, Niall Kelly 0-1, Alex Beirne 0-1.

TEAMS

Laois: Killian Roche; Ben Dempsey, James Kelly, Mark Timmons; Seamus Lacey, Brian Byrne, Simon Fingleton; Damon Larkin, Conor Heffernan; Mark Barry, Evan O’Carroll, Kevin Swayne; Eoin Lowry, Niall Dunne, Paul Kingston. Subs: Rioghan Murphy for Kevin Swayne (59 minutes); Mikie Dempsey for Eoin Lowry (65 minutes); Kieran Lillis for Conor Heffernan (69 minutes); Eoin Buggie for Niall Dunne (72 minutes); Brian Daly for Evan O'Carroll (73 minutes).

Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Mick O'Grady, Shea Ryan, Ryan Burke; Tony Archbold, Brian Byrne, Jack Sargent; Aaron Masterson, Kevin Flynn; Shane Farrell, Darragh Kirwan, Paddy McDermott; Paddy Woodgate, Niall Kelly, Kevin Feely. Subs: Ryan Houlihan for Ryan Burke (43 minutes): Alex Beirne for Aaron Masterson (44 minutes); Luke Killian for Tony Archbold (54 minutes); Eoin Doyle for Shea Ryan (54 minutes); Darragh Swords for Shane Farrell (70 minutes).

REFEREE: Thomas Murphy, Galway.