Kildare hero Paul Dolan believes there is another big day in them for Dubs visit

Kildare and Paul Dolan aren't complaining about the position they find themselves in today - so why should anyone else?
While the preliminary quarter-finals are much-maligned as snobbery abounds around the prospect of the Joe McDonagh Cup winners being afforded a route into the All-Ireland series, the gap to be bridged at this stage of the season is not as great as some might have you believe.
Granted, the McDonagh Cup runners-up have suffered some terrible beatings, particularly from Munster opposition, but Dublin's trip to Cedral St Conleth's Park is just the third time that the third-placed team in Leinster has had to play the McDonagh winners.
On the two previous occasions, Dublin were also involved. In 2019 they were beaten by Laois and while they beat Carlow two years ago with 10 points to spare in the end, they trailed at half-time and only burned them off with a run of 1-5 late on.
'There's a lot of outside noise relating to it, in regards to the structure of the Championship and are we being put into a completely one-sided game,' said Dolan, one of the heroes of Kildare's runaway victory over Laois last Sunday.
'Like, the six-day turnaround is what it is but we're not going to go making excuses. We're going to approach that the very same way we approach every game.
'None of the current panel have played at senior inter-county level against a tier-one county in Championship hurling and we're getting that opportunity on Saturday. We're just relishing the challenge.
'Obviously Dublin are an unbelievable side. They have pace, power and they're a good team. We're going to respect that but we've been hurling well lately so we need to have belief going into the game and we're looking forward to it."
Much of the ingredients for an ambush appear to be in place with a bumper crowd expected as the game forms a double bill with the footballers' Tailteann Cup quarter-final against Offaly.
'Sometimes there might be a narrative about the hurlers and the footballers, but we like seeing the footballers do well,' Dolan noted. 'And I saw a lot of football people up there last Sunday after the game that I wouldn't ever associate with going to a hurling match, so that's great to see.
'I don't know, some people might say bandwagoners and stuff but no, that's what you want. We're trying to grow hurling in Kildare and a double-header with the footballers is only going to enhance that. It's hopefully going to be a brilliant occasion and hopefully the two teams get the results.'
Like many on the Kildare panel, the Éire Óg Corra Choill man's parentage is drawn from a more traditional hurling stronghold.
'My father is actually from Lorrha in North Tipp and then a few lads that I would have grown up hurling with, one of them, their mother is a Tipp woman and then there's another one and his father's a Kilkenny man and his mother is a Tipp woman.
'We would have always gone together as groups down to Semple Stadium, Nowlan Park and all these, like a lot of the lads on the panel.
'David Qualter's dad is a big, passionate Galway man. A lad that managed us for years is a Garryspillane man from Limerick.
'There's hurling going from these Munster tier one counties into Kildare and you just gain a love for hurling through watching all these players growing up. It transpired into growing Kildare hurling then."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Journal

an hour ago

• The Journal

It's a busy weekend of sport and music in Dublin - here's what's on, and how to get there

IT LOOKS SET to be a warm and sunny weekend in Dublin – so it's a good thing that there's lots to do across the city. Between a range of concerts, GAA, rugby and even some protests, here's all that's going on across Dublin today and tomorrow. Any good concerts on? US country music star Zach Bryan graced the stage at the Phoenix Park last night, and is set to played two more busy gigs today and tomorrow. The concert today is completely sold out, but at the time of writing, there are a limited number of tickets available for the Sunday show. Those looking to head to the gig are best off getting a bus, as parking is extremely limited. All of the following Dublin Bus routes serve the park: 26, 38b, 39, and 70. Across the city, the hit Irish band Kingfishr will play a sold-out show at Fairview Park this evening. Those heading to the gig can get the train from Pearse, Tara or Connolly stations to Clontarf Road. A number of Dublin bus routes also serve the park, including the 15, 27, 42, 123 and H lines. Rolling road closures and traffic delays are expected near the Phoenix Park and Fairview Park for the concerts, gardaí have said. What about sport? Gaelic football fans are in for a treat this weekend with an important double header is scheduled for Croke Park on Sunday. Advertisement Both of the Tailteann Cup semi-finals will take place – Wicklow will face off against Limerick at 2pm, while Fermanagh clash with Kildare at 4pm. Tickets are still available for the fixtures. Those planning on heading to Croker can do so by train (to Drumcondra or Clontarf Road) or Dublin Bus. Drivers, be advised that gardaí will close a number of roads around Croke Park on Sunday afternoon. (We're well aware that there's a lot more sporting events on across the country, including the highly anticipated Donegal rally, and this is a very Dublin-centric article – but it's a particularly busy weekend in Dublin!) Protests Sunday will also see rolling closures across the city centre, due to two major public gatherings – including an anti-immigration demostration and a counter-protest. Both demonstrations are due to take place on Sunday afternoon, and those travelling to or through Dublin tomorrow are advised to anticipate rolling road closures, which will have a likely effect on public transport such as LUAS and Dublin Bus services. Gardaí and Dublin City Council will provide live traffic updates via social media. As more people are expected into the city this weekend, the public transport network as well as roads in and around the city centre will be busy - gardaí and Dublin City Council have also urged the public plan journeys in advance. Irish Rail will run extra services, including late-night trains from Heuston to Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Belfast after each Phoenix Park concert. Additional commuter trains will serve the Maynooth and Drogheda lines. Dublin Bus is diverting multiple routes (including 11, 26, 37, 38, 69) due to concert traffic and roadworks — check @dublinbusnews for live updates. Luas users should plan ahead - Heuston and Museum (Red Line) are closest to the park, though Heuston will close post-concert. Broombridge on the Green Line is also nearby. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

Irish Examiner

an hour ago

• Irish Examiner

Karin Blair project pays dividends for Tipperary

Roving defender Karin Blair scored the winning point as Tipperary ended 20 years without a national title by edging out Galway in the Very League Division 1A final at Croke Park last season. But there will be fewer forays forward for the 24-year-old attacker turned stopped, now she has been entrusted with Tipp's No 3 jersey since 'big leader', Clodagh Quirke suffered her third cruciate knee ligament injury in the Munster semi-final against Waterford. 'At the start, I was like, 'Oh God, no,' Blair admits. 'You love taking your scores and even now, when I go back playing club, I play more so in the forwards or midfield. "Then you go into county training and they're handling out the bibs, there's no question now, I'm a back." Being part of a winning Tipp team at HQ was a joy, but that is in the rearview mirror now. The likes of Cáit Devane, Mary Ryan and Nicole Walsh, among others, have moved on. Injuries have had their say too. With the juniors and minors winning All-Irelands last year, there is fresh blood however, infusing the squad with a new energy. Last year's successful minor captain and minor player of the year, Sarah Corcoran has had an immediate impact, while the likes of Lucy Purcell and Caitlyn Treacy have also made their presence felt. After barely raising a gallop against Cork in their Group 1 opener – they lost by 18 points at The Ragg – it was vital Tipp responded and the ruthlessness they showed in accounting for Wexford by 32 on enemy territory was pleasing. Next up is a Limerick team that can secure qualification with victory at Cappamore (1pm throw-in). The same will apply to Tipp but though they will be favourites, the Premiers have been through enough to ensure complacency doesn't seep into the dressing room. The points are the most important aspect of the day but that it is Pride Round is something they are all cognisant off, Blair says. 'We've had the Pride flag hanging in our dressing room now for the last two weeks, just to kind of distill that in girls. We wouldn't really make like a huge thing of it, because it's just kind of like an accepted thing at this stage. We had a few pictures that we passed onto the GPA. 'It's great that people know, everyone can be themselves. And I feel like it is an environment, especially the camogie, where everyone does feel accepted. And I do feel like, in the past couple years, that it's really grown like that, that it's that kind of environment for everyone.'

The 42

an hour ago

• The 42

'Close to the ground': The Cian Lynch prototype who lifted the MacCarthy Cup in troubled times

BOB McCONKEY WAS only a few months younger than Cian Lynch is now when he captained Limerick to the 1921 All-Ireland. And when the Young Irelands clubman passed away in early 1961, the write up they gave him in the local newspaper sounded a lot like Lynch too. He weighed 11 stone when playing, around what current captain Lynch might be if he hadn't embraced modern strength and conditioning training so regimentally. Bob McConkey: The first man EVER to receive the Liam MacCarthy cup after Limerick's 1921 All-Ireland success (final played in 1923) — Cuimhnigh ar Luimneach : Limerick Supporters Group (@LimerickFanPage) January 6, 2022 And he wasn't particularly tall either, described at his funeral by one defender who competed against him as being 'close to the ground' with a 'knack of cleverly rounding his man . . . with lightning rapidity' and capable of delivering 'a terrific crack of the leather'. Echoes of Lynch for sure. A life and times piece published after the full-forward's passing suggested that 'many would rate McConkey the best man that ever stood on the edge of the square'. Born in Clare, he played in four All-Ireland finals for Limerick, in cluding one at 40, and finished up with three winner's medals. But it was the 1921 win that's worth recalling for the week that's in it as Limerick and Dublin, who met in that final, prepare to battle all over again, 102 years later. Those maths are correct because the 1921 final was delayed until 4 March, 1923, due to the War of Independence. Limerick scored eight goals at Croke Park that Sunday afternoon, half of which were supplied by McConkey. Advertisement The following morning, the Irish Independent trumpeted a 'poor hurling contest' despite the 'big attendance' of 19,000 and 'fine weather'. It was, in fact, 'one of the most disappointing finals ever played' with Limerick 4-1 to 0-2 up and cruising at half-time. Only the Dublin defence, despite conceding all those goals, 'showed any semblance of their usual hurling prowess'. At midfield and in attack, 'they were completely outclassed'. So what makes it so memorable and worthy of recall? It was the first time, for starters, that the Liam MacCarthy Cup was handed out, making McConkey the first player to hoist it skywards. MacCarthy, the son of a Limerick woman, from Bruff, grew up in a distinctly Irish household in London and donated the £50 – about €3,500 in current terms – to commission Edmond Johnson Jewellers on Grafton Street to make the cup. MacCarthy didn't actually attend the final though his cup, modelled on an old Irish drinking vessel was said to be 'an object of admiration during the day'. McConkey's brilliance, Dublin's desperation, the gleam from the freshly minted MacCarthy Cup and even the victory celebrations all seemed to count for very little within days, however. The following Wednesday, the sitting mayor of Limerick, George Clancy, his predecessor Michael O'Callaghan, and another Limerick resident, Joseph O'Donoghue, were murdered within hours of each other. British auxiliaries, in particular a five-strong death squad operating out of a hotel in the city, were blamed for what, in a time of curfew, became known as The Limerick Curfew Murders. Former Limerick captain Mark Foley moderated a two-hour discussion on that remarkable week in the county's history in 2021, the 100th anniversary of Limerick's 1921 success. Limerick players wearing their special jersey in 2021 to commemorate Limerick's All-Ireland hurling victory in 1921. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO Limerick native Gearoid O Tuathaigh, Professor Emeritus in History, spoke at the event and recalled how ripples of discontent spread out from that week, and the turbulent era generally, for decades afterwards. The official line regarding the murders of the two mayors was that they were at odds with extreme republicans, so were executed. Historian and writer Tom Toomey said it is more likely there was collusion between the British military and RIC, allowing the murders to go ahead unpunished. Two of Limerick's most popular quayside streets were later named after Clancy and O'Callaghan, both shot and killed in their homes. The two men were in their 40s, established nationalists, Irish speakers and volunteers. O'Donoghue was younger, at 24, and was a Westmeath native though lived in Limerick and was a volunteer too. Thousands poured onto the streets as their coffins passed and there were a number of days of national mourning. All three were committed GAA members. Limerick beat Dublin again after an All-Ireland final replay in 1934. McConkey was involved that year too, though the counties didn't meet again in a Championship game until 2006. And this weekend's All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park will be their first Championship game there since that 1934 All-Ireland decider. John Kiely will hope that the present day side shows the spirit of McConkey and all of those Limerick greats. And perhaps they might even benefit from some of the preparation techniques employed at the time. Speaking at the discussion in 2021, Foley read from an interview given by Limerick's 1918 All-Ireland winner Dan Troy who was speaking about how legendary trainer Jim Dalton – regarded as the Paul Kinnerk of his day – would prepare the team. According to Dalton, it was 'desirable to prepare for the fray with a light dose of Epsom salts before breakfast'. And as the ground was 'likely to be heavy', it was advised that 'constant practice of the muscles is necessary so that the men will retain their hitting power until the end of the match'. Players should be in bed and asleep by 10.30pm and up again at 7.30am. Smoking was a no-no while alcohol, or any 'fermented drinks' for that matter, was seen as 'poison' for a top hurler. Most of those nuggets still hold good. Like the advice that players must 'practice with the hurley' as often as possible and that they should keep up their training to avoid becoming 'mechanical and slow'. It's a replica of the original MacCarthy Cup that they give out these days but if Limerick follow Dalton's advice, there's a decent chance they'll get the better of Dublin again and that Lynch will do what McConkey did and captain an All-Ireland winning team.