New horizons: Kildare hurlers ready to take on the best in 2026

The Kildare hurlers have earned themselves spots in the big time and this year will tackle Allianz Hurling League Division 1B, as well as the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, the latter of which will see them meet Kilkenny for the very first time at Senior Championship level.

The league is naturally first on the agenda and Kildare find themselves at the second highest possible level after promotion
last year. The Lilies will open their league account against the side they faced in Round 1 of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling
Championship last year, Dublin. That particular game arrived just six days after their Joe McDonagh Cup success, much to
the obvious disappointment of all concerned in Kildare, as they came up well short.

Despite the less than favourable gap between celebrations and competition, the home side that day never looked
likely to succeed against the future semi-finalists in their 3-25 to 0-13 defeat.

The best place to start on what needs to change for 2026 was what could be easily spotted with the eye test, which was size
and physicality. The Lilies by all accounts are doing huge work in the off-season to physically prepare for the challenge that lies ahead in 2026 where they will meet some of the best sides in Irish hurling.

As well as The Dubs (away), Brian Dowling’s men will face Antrim (home), Clare (home), Down (away), Carlow (home),
Wexford (away). That group of seven will see the top two into a league final and the bottom two relegated with The Lilies
avoiding the latter being the key to their league season. Despite the jump in class, that is an achievable goal for the 2025 Joe
McDonagh Cup champions with two teams (Down and Carlow) that they beat on-route to that Championship success last year
residing in Division 1B. Staying in Division 1B and ensuring as much top level hurling remains in Kildare as possible will be the
main focus of the early part of 2026.

After their league endeavours comes the glamour and indeed difficulty of the Leinster SHC with Kildare set for a
fascinating list of fixtures.

League repeats with Wexford (home) and Dublin (away) will be followed by glamour ties with Galway (home) and
Kilkenny (away) with their final outing coming against Offaly (home).

Brian Dowling’s McDonagh Cup champions have earned their place at the top table and now have to fight tooth
and nail to stay there against the very best in the province .

- Daragh Nolan