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RTÉ News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'That wasn't pretty at all' - Brian Flanagan frank on nature of Kildare win
Kildare manager Brian Flanagan was happy to admit that his side had to resort to winning ugly in their Tailteann Cup semi-final against Fermanagh, but securing a berth in the final was no small feat for a county with a dire record at Croke Park. The Lilywhites recorded just their fourth win in 24 games at HQ as Fermanagh were dispatched on a 1-13 to 0-09 scoreline. A couple of downpours and slippery underfoot conditions conspired to produce an instantly forgettable affair, although Brian McLoughlin's scoring prowess off the bench was a joy to behold. "That wasn't pretty at all," Flanagan freely admitted in his post-match interview with RTÉ Sport. "I don't think the highlights reel will take too long on TV! Probably a hard watch for people, but from our point of view a semi-final is there to be won. "There's obviously a little bit of history on the negative side with Kildare coming to Croker in the last few years and not winning. "Winning was everything today and moving on for three weeks' time and knowing that we won't get away with a performance like that. "But it was enough to win today. It won't be enough in three weeks, but we are delighted to win." "We didn't play well, we were poor on the day, but we found a way to win," Kildare manager Brian Flanagan's candidly admits after overcoming Fermanagh in the semi-finals of the Tailteann Cup — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 22, 2025 Kildare's general profligacy in front of the posts is a weakness Flanagan must address before the decider against Limerick, with the manager of the view that nerves got the better of many of his forwards. "Maybe nerves and anxiety got in on a few lads, in terms of pulling the trigger today," he opined. "We did look a little bit apprehensive for a lot of the game. "Obviously Brian McLoughlin comes in and he seemed to kick with a bit of freedom and brought us into the game and brought other lads out of their shell a small bit. "James's goal at the end then just gave us that breathing space, but we didn't really open up until probably the last five to 10 minutes, very tight up to that. "Conditions to be fair, there were a couple of really, really heavy downpours throughout the game and that didn't help but I'm not making excuses. "We didn't play well, we were poor on the day but we found a way to win in the last five or 10 minutes and we move on from it." McLoughlin only entered the fray for Ryan Sinkey in the 44th minute, but finished the match with a personal haul of five points, with his unerring accuracy earning him the man of the match award. "I suppose I was probably a little bit disappointed not to get much game time last week and I put my shoulder to the wheel during the week, just hoping to get called upon at some stage and luckily a few of the shots went over," the sharpshooter said afterwards. "When we lost to Louth, we were obviously very disappointed but Flanno and the lads said we really needed to drive on in this Tailteann Cup and it will be an opportunity to play Sam Maguire next year so it's another step in the right direction and we'll look forward to three weeks' time." Echoing his manager's sentiments that the result rather than performance was paramount, he added: "A lot of things didn't go our way in the first half and I think our kick-outs were a little bit disappointing and we missed a lot.
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Laoise Lenehan leads from the front with 1-2 as Kildare seal shock win over Armagh in All-Ireland LGFA championship
LAOISE LENEHAN led from the front as Kildare dumped Armagh out of the TG4 All- Ireland SFC. The Lilywhites skipper scored 1-2 in a shock win over the Ulster champions at the Athletic Grounds. Three saves from Anna Carr kept Armagh in touch during the first half, while the hosts only kicked 1-3 from play. But the Lilies had nine different scorers and their defence shone. Caroline O'Hanlon swapped scores with Ruth Sargent and Gillian Wheeler. Aoife Rattigan and Niamh Henderson also cancelled efforts from each other out. Read More on LGFA Kildare then went two ahead with strikes from Lara Curran and Alannah Prizeman. But the visitors were reduced to 14 for the final ten minutes of the opening period with Lisa Shaw yellow-carded. Niamh Reel and O'Hanlon posted frees during that spell while Ciara Wheeler pointed to level it at the break. Kildare skipper Lenehan extended the Lilywhites' lead from the second half throw-in as Róisín Byrne and Reel raised white flags at either end of the field. Most read in GAA Football Both sides struggled to hit the target and passed up a series of scoring opportunities before Reel tapped over a free. Mia Ryan, kicking a score with her first touch after being introduced, and Henderson registered points at either end. 'Just in time for Father's Day' - Dublin GAA legends welcome the birth of precious baby daughter Kildare put their stamp on proceedings by delivering the first goal. Byrne did all the hard work before slipping the ball to Lenehan who tapped home. Rattigan made it a five-point game but Armagh could have had a goal of their own. Niamh Coleman set up Kelly Mallon, but the former captain's palmed effort was saved by Mary Hulgraine. Emily Druse and Prizeman pointed before Armagh's Lauren McConville handed her side a lifeline with a goal. Aimee Mackin tapped over a free to leave one between the teams. But Kildare sealed it with Ryan's second point. KILDARE : M Hulgraine; R Sargent 0-1, L Lenehan 1-1, M Doherty; L Shaw, L Murtagh, M Aspel; L Reilly, C Moran; C Wheeler 0-1, A Rattigan 0-2, L Curran 0-1; G Wheeler 0-1, A Prizeman 0-2f, R Byrne 0-1. Subs : M Ryan 0-2 for Murtagh 43 mins; E Dowling for Rattigan 50; A Mahon for G Wheeler 57. ARMAGH : A Carr; M Ferguson, C Towe, R Mulligan; E Druse 0-1, M McCann, G Ferguson; N Coleman, C O'Hanlon 0-4f; L McConville 1-0, C McNally, B Mackin; K Mallon, N Henderson 0-2, N Reel 0-2f. Subs : E Lavery for B Mackin h-t; E McConaghy for McNally 40 mins; E McGeown for Mallon 50; A Mackin 0-1 for Reel 55. REFEREE : E Cuthbert (Down). 1 Laoise Lenehan of Kildare poses for a portrait with the Mary Ramsbottom Memorial Cup at the launch of the TG4 Leinster LGFA Championships Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
First Division wrap: Leaders Dundalk held as Cobh Ramblers win to get closer
Late goals for both sides ensured a share of the spoils in a tense game at Oriel Park as Treaty United struck late to snatch a 1-1 draw against league leaders Dundalk. It looked as if the Lilywhites had laid claim to the three points with an 85th-minute strike from Harry Groome, only for it to be cancelled out in added-on time by Mark Walsh to earn the Shannonsiders a draw. Dundalk went close to scoring in the opening seconds of the game with a Daryl Horgan free-kick, which was met by Eoin Kenny at the back post, but the forward's header flashed wide. Treaty defender Richkov Boevi was inches from scoring in the 14th minute, with his goalbound header from a corner being cleared off the line by the outstretched Enda Minogue, who was forced to make a vital stop. Despite continued pressure, the Lilywhites failed to convert a series of chances as Treaty continued to look dangerous on the counterattack. Kenny once again had a clear sight on goal in the 30th minute but was unable to convert, while Lee Devitt struck the side-netting for the visitors moments later. Sean McHale sent his headed effort just over the bar for Dundalk in the 55th minute from a Daryl Horgan free as the goal continued to elude the home side in the opening period of the second half. McHale was then called into action to make an important block as Sullivan's strike from the edge of the area had to be deflected for a corner. The resulting set piece in the 60th minute saw Treaty almost squeeze the ball home, only for Aodh Dervin to make a vital intervention off the line. Dundalk looked certain to score from a breakaway attack from midfield with Eoin Kenny setting Leo Gahxa down the right, but the Dundalk winger's low effort whistled past the post. The home side would score late in the contest, with Harry Groome finding the net in the 85th minute. Treaty failed to clear their defensive lines from a Keith Ward corner, with the ball recycled on the left by Andy Paraschiv. He laid the ball to Groome with the Dundalk midfielder striking first time to rifle the ball to the back of the net, leaving Chambers flat-footed. The action was yet to be concluded with Treaty scoring in added time to snatch a point with captain Mark Walsh latching onto the ball in the Dundalk area and squeezing his effort past Minogue to grab a point for the away side. Elsewhere, Cobh Ramblers narrowed the gap at the top to just four points following a comprehensive 3-0 win at UCD. Barry Coffey's sixth-minute strike handed the visitors the perfect start against the Students at the UCD Bowl, and they doubled their lead in the tenth minute through Sam Bellis. Coffey was then on hand six minutes before the break to bag his brace and secure the three points for Ramblers. Bray Wanderers ' title ambitions took a major hit as they went down 2-1 to Kerry as they remain in third place, nine points off the top. Kennedy Amechi's opening-minute strike handed the hosts the early lead, and while Max Murphy levelled from the spot in the 52nd minute, Kerry would seal the victory through Abel Alabi's 87th-minute winner. Longford took the points with a slender victory in Wexford, with Emre Topcu's sixth-minute strike the difference between the two sides, while Athlone Town and Finn Harps prop up the table following their scoreless draw. Dundalk: Enda Minogue, Sean McHale, Aodh Dervin, Daryl Horgan, Harry Groome, Dean Ebbe (Keith Ward 76), Leo Gaxha, Luke Mulligan, Vincent Leonard, Eoin Kenny, Shane Tracey (Andy Paraschiv 68). Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Richkov Boevi, Lee Devitt, Colin Conroy (Stephen Healy 80), Yousef Maddy, Nikodem Kozlowski (Roy Lawlor 67), Evan O'Connor, Mark Walsh, Mark Murphy (Connor Willson 67), Eoin Martin, Karl O'Sullivan.
Irish Independent
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Kildare survive late drama against Offaly to advance to Tailteann Cup semi-finals
Kildare advanced to the semi-final of the Tailteann Cup when they had a single point to spare over an Offaly side that had enjoyed two wins over the Lilywhites earlier this year.
Dublin Live
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Dublin Live
Kildare v Dublin LIVE updates from All-Ireland Hurling Championship clash
Kildare take on Dublin this afternoon in the preliminary quarter-final of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship. The sides face off at St Conleth's Park in Newbridge, with throw-in slated for 4pm. The Lilywhites are back in the Liam MacCarthy competition thanks to their thrilling success in the Joe McDonagh Cup earlier this Summer. With momentum behind them, the hosts are in the mood to cause a shock when they welcome the Dubs to Newbridge today. They take on a Dublin side that finished third in Leinster. Once again, Dublin are something of an enigma. At times they have looked great, but with the lack of strength in Leinster, another third place finish has done nothing to boost optimism in the capital. Kildare team Dublin team
