Kildare ladies announce new-look 2026 squad with departure of legends

As well as retirees Claire Sullivan and Ellen Dowling, massive names like Róisín Byrne and Grace Clifford are absent from Pat Sullivan's 2026 squad list.

The Kildare legends owe nothing to their county after years of exemplary service and have enjoyed a stellar few years recently with Leinster and All-Ireland Intermediate titles, as well as reaching the top table of ladies football where they remain headed into a new season.

The Lilies tackle Division 1 and the All-Ireland SFC once again in 2026 with their new-look squad ahead of another exciting campaign.

Full Squad below:

Áine Mulligan, Aoife Rattigan, Aoife Mulligan (Cappagh)

Athy (Rachel Fenin)

Méabh McDonagh, Aoife Murnane, Róisín Forde (Maynooth)

Ruth Sargent, Aine Mernagh, Jessica Harney, Hazel McLoughlin, Abaigh Cahill (Eadestown)

Amy Mahon, Mayah Doyle (Ballymore Eustace)

Laoise Lenehan (Kill)

Sarah O'Sullivan (Kilcock)

Molly Aspell, Ellen Coleman, Nanci Murphy (Kilcullen)

Eimear Behan (Rathcoffey)

Lia Reilly, Saoirse O'Gorman (Sallins)

Corla Nallen, Emma Earls, Mia Doherty (Leixlip)

Megan Cooney (Balyna)

Ruth Dillon (Suncroft)

Laura Dunlea (Raheens)

Gillian Wheeler, Emma Wheeler, Ciara Wheeler (St Laurence's)

Lara Curran (Milltown)

Lisa Shaw, Alannah Prizeman (Naas)

Kate Kealy (Celbridge)

Síofra Galvin, Aisling Irhue (Sarsfields)

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