Kildare hurlers cruise to win over Wicklow
It was a gentle easing back into inter-county action for the Kildare hurlers as they faced Wicklow. Although the opening minutes did not present true jeopardy, the men in white were certainly far from convincing early on.
The opening minutes embodied what fans envisage when they refer to a tie as a ‘January’ game. Wicklow were first on the board with a point from a free as they hammered the ball down Kildare’s right-hand side. A tactic they would try time and time again before The Lilies got wise to it, Luke Evans converted the free from range.
Rian was the first of the Boran boys to hit a score in this game and it was of course Kildare’s first of 2024 as they levelled relatively quickly.
Wicklow re-took the lead in the exact same fashion as they did the first time with a well-taken Evans free. The following minutes for Kildare certainly re-iterated what time of year it was, as sloppy passes and wides were plenty.
It would pass the 11th minute before Kildare would level the score and after a couple of timid efforts at breaching Conor McNally’s net, it would be left to Conor Boran to restore parity with an excellent long-range strike over the bar. The wing-back stood out on the day and despite the one-sided affair really showed his potential value to the Kildare side for the coming year.
After a spell of sustained pressure, Kildare were moving the ball well to find an angle at goal, but eventually settled for their point as Rian Boran popped the ball between the posts.
James Dolan would get the next score of the game as he, perhaps unlike others to that point, took his point when his chance came.
The closing minutes of the first half was where Kildare finally found their stride and kicked on in this game. Muiris Curtin would take off an incisive run to earn space, the Moorefield man then off-loaded to Jack Sheridan who produced a fine finish low into the bottom corner of the net. The first green flag of the day was raised as Kildare moved into a 1-4 to 0-2 lead after 21 minutes.
Much talk has been made of Sheridan’s return to the county hurling set-up and it is no doubt a welcome addition for new manager Brian Dowling. The goal brought about Sheridan’s first score since his return and it was certainly needed after he registered three poor wides to that point. But the goal seemed to settle the Naas man and it would be far from his last score of the afternoon.
Wicklow would respond with a point of their own through Dan Redmond to reduce the gap.
Not long after setting up Kildare’s first goal Muiris Curtin knocked over an exceptional point from out wide. The Moorefield corner-forward was superb on the day and stood out amongst the Kildare forward line.
Cian Shanahan would be next on the board as the corner-back made a burst from deep before hooking one over the bar. The Clane man had a strong defensive showing on the day and finished the game with 0-2 to his name too.
The key combination for Kildare’s first goal would both come to the fore once again as Muiris Curtin and Jack Sheridan got two points each in the space of just five minutes.
This spell of consecutive concessions was largely self-inflicted from Wicklow’s point of view. The losing side went short from their puck-out five times in this game, particularly during this time, and lost the ball on each occasion.
However, it would truly get ugly for the home side just before half-time as Kildare added a further 2-3 to their scoreline before the break. Points from Jack Sheridan and Rian Boran would be added to by a couple of raising of the green flag.
Conn Kehoe would be first to find the net after another goal was set-up by Muiris Curtin who found Kehoe in space. Kehoe drilled his effort smartly past the on-rushing goalkeeper to extend his side’s lead.
The last action of the first half was perhaps the best display of quality to that point as Cian Boran slid through Jack Sheridan, who produced a super finish into the top corner. The third Kildare goal left them with a 3-13 to 0-4 lead at half-time.
The game was already over but there was still time for Kildare players to leave an impression and to their credit they sought to do so, adding a further 1-14 in the second half.
The goal came less than a minute into the second half as James Dolan found the net with a fine finish.
Kildare would close out for victory while ringing in the changes as Brian Dowling sought to get a look at as many of his squad in a competitive environment as possible. All in all, a job well done.
MAIN MAN
Jack Sheridan
The Naas man registered 2-12 on his return to the county set-up for 2024. It wasn't the fastest start, but it certainly picked up as Sheridan found his rhythm in this game. It was an ideal set-up for both Sheridan and his new manager who could both ease their way into life with the Kildare hurlers ahead of the upcoming season with this tie.
TURNING POINT
The first Kildare goal seemed to change this game entirely. The Kildare players seemed to feel that it was a weight off their shoulders as they began to take their points in much more convincing style from then on. It was all too rushed and sloppy initially, but the goal seemed to settle the nerves, while denting Wicklow's confidence.
TALKING POINT
What does this year look like for Kildare? Having returned to the Christy Ring, they are likely to be favourites to get back out and their new boss will certainly have that goal in mind. However, they will operate in Division 2A first and will perhaps face stiffer opposition in spring than they will in the summer. It will be fascinating to see how this unusual year pans out for new manager Brian Dowling and his squad. There were many positives from this Wicklow encounter, but the next two weeks will likely be a much better indicator of where they are at.
WHAT NOW?
Kildare have a long drive up to Down for their next Kehoe Cup fixture as they take on what will likely by a much stiffer challenge on Sunday, January 21. but there was still time for Kildare players to leave an impression and to their credit they sought to do so, adding a further 1-14 in the second half.
SCORERS
Kildare: Jack Sheridan 2-12 (0-4 frees, 0-1 65’), Conn Kehoe 1-1, James Dolan 1-1, Muiris Curtin 0-3, Rian Boran 0-3, Conan Boran 0-2, Cian Shanahan 0-2, Reece Gavin 0-2, Frank Bass 0-1.
Wicklow: Luke Evans 0-3 (0-3 frees), Dan Redmond 0-1, Tonra Mulconry 0-1, Gary Highes 0-1.
TEAMS
Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Cian Shanahan, Sean Christianseen, Mark Grace; Harry Carroll, Simon Leacy, Conan Boran; Rian Boran, Daire Guerin; Conn Keogh, Jack Sheridan, Jack Higgins; Muiris Curtin, Cian Boran, James Dolan. Subs: Reece Gavin for Jack Higgins (45 minutes), Frank Bass for Cian Boran (45 minutes), Paul Dolan Conan Boran (45 minutes), Drew Costello for Muiris Curtin (51 minutes), Sean O’Connor for James Dolan (55 minutes).
Wicklow: Conor McNally; Dylan Byrne, Bryan Kearney, Tommy Collins; Sean* O'Dowd, Warren Kavanagh, Michael og O'Neill; Brandan Ryan, Tom O'Brien; Dan Redmond, Luke Evans, Patrick Mirphy; Rian Waters, Torna Mulconry, Ian Clancy. Subs: Jimmy McGing for Warren Kavanagh (11 minutes), Ruairí O'Brien for Tommy Collins (23 minutes), Cormac Byrne for Rian Waters (51 minutes).
Referee: Mark Ryan