Lenehan says Kildare ladies are aiming for a Leinster final in 2026

The excitement of summer football and Championship season always springs fresh excitement with league campaigns now in the rear view, the Kildare ladies had a peculiar set of seven games to ruminate on after some strong performances which were hindered by big game inexperience that cost them their place in Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1. 

Speaking at the launch of the Leinster Championship, captain Laoise Lenehan did her best to evaluate a highly-competitive set of top-level outings for Kildare so far. 

“It is really disappointing (relegation), especially because compared to last year when we did manage to stay up,” Lenehan explained. “I actually think our performances were much better this year, even though we didn't always get the result. Losing to a point against Kerry on Sunday, if you told us we would have done that last year, we would have been absolutely delighted, but for that to be the match that we got relegated for, look, it is disappointing.

“We had two draws as well. Our first round draw ended up being actually really vital in the end the way results went. Look, ourselves and Dublin are going down, but we're trying to not get too bogged down about it because if you look at last year, the winners of Division 2 and the finalists, Cork and Galway, are actually in the final for Division 1 this year, so it is always competitive in Division 2 as well.”

Kildare are a young side who have had a huge amount of squad turnover since their All-Ireland Intermediate Championship win in 2023; only Aoife Rattigan, Ruth Sargent and Lenehan herself remain from that All-Ireland winning team.

“For loads of the girls, that was their first time playing for Kilda senior ladies, so it's a huge boost going into the Leinster Championship, so we're still taking loads of learning from the league,” Lenehan said. “To see them (young players) step in and be so good in such a tough competition, Division 1, straight away was hugely encouraging.

“If you look at the likes of Aoife Murnane and Alannah Prizeman who were involved last year, but this year they have stepped into their own, and we've had Mayah Doyle coming in as well who has been starting most matches, so for them to put on the Kildare jersey for the first time essentially and playing in Division 1 is huge.”

The Kill centre-back is one of the leaders of the group with plenty of top level experience under her belt, but it’s easy to forget Lenehan is only 24 years old while vice-captain Ruth Sargent is 22. The old heads of the group? Maybe not so much.

Lenehan said, “It's crazy to think that you're already experienced once, but yet you've become such good leaders as well over a couple of years. I think Ruth was 22 the other day, it's crazy. I've been around and you do end up stepping up, and I suppose I've been fortunate with the matches that I have played, I've gotten a chance to play in Croke Park, we've been in the Intermediate Finals.

“My first year we were in Division 3, so it was an easier transition, but for them to be able to step up from minor and go into a Division 1 game against the best players in the country is absolutely huge for them, so they're just improving every single game. We're so proud of them.”

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It was ultimately experience and an inability to manage games that cost Kildare in the league with the late concession of a goal against Waterford and a solo & go infringement in the last play against Cork costing them wins and precious points. 

With those now set aside, and seven games under their belt and a much-improved familiarity with the new LGFA rules, Kildare are readying for their Leinster Championship opener with Meath on Sunday, April 26.

“The Leinster Championship is so unique because it's only the three teams in it, so you actually do end up getting to know the teams really well. I think we played Meath three times last year, and then again in the league this year, so whenever you're going out to play them, you're always kind of looking to get the next win,” Lenehan said.

“I know Dublin and Meath have contested it the last few years, and they contested the All-Ireland final last year, so we are that bit behind, but we are pushing on, and that is our goal, to get to a Leinster final and to compete, and I do think we are well able to.”

Kildare of course got the sole win of their Division 1 campaign against Meath with a 4-8 to 1-10 win over The Royals in Manguard Park. The tantalising prospect of a Leinster final is also coupled with huge pressure to succeed due to the seeding format in ladies football, which this year sees the Leinster third place team dropped in with the Ulster runner-up and the Connacht champions. The Lilies were the third team in their province last year and produced a superb performance to emerge out of a difficult group by beating then Ulster champions Armagh.

Lenehan concluded with hopes that the ladies can have their first outing in Cedral St Conleth’s Park of 2026 when the Championship rolls around, but remained a staunch defender of their home in Manguard Park. 

“I think there is a lot to be said for pitch one on Hawkfield. We have made that our home as well, so we are comfortable playing there, but St Conleth’s is a great facility, and I know supporters love to go there as well. It is a state-of-the-art facility, so it is great to be able to use that when we can, but we have made Hawkfield our own this year, so that is a positive.”