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The Schemozzle: Kildare’s underage success fails to yield senior return

Lilywhites consigned to the Tailteann Cup for the first time following Leinster semi-final defeat

A sparsely attended Croke Park during the Kildare v Louth Leinster semi-final. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Paul Fitzpatrick
Mon Apr 29 2024 - 06:00

Kildare’s inability to translate underage success to senior is a head-scratcher as their run at minor and U-2O in the last 10 years compares favourably with anything other Leinster counties have ever managed.

Since 2013, they’ve featured in eight Leinster minor finals, winning four, and six U-20 finals, also winning four. For context, Dublin have reached 16 deciders in that time, winning 10.

Few counties come close to Kildare’s underage record over a similar period. From 1975 to 1986, Meath were in 10 Leinster minor/U21 finals, winning four. From 1989 to 2000, they made 11 finals, winning nine.

But across that time period, Meath won four senior All-Irelands.

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Offaly also put two glorious runs together. From 1957-66, they were in eight minor finals, winning four. They subsequently played in three All-Ireland senior finals in quick succession, winning two.

From 1968 to 1978, the Faithful were in a further nine Leinster underage finals, winning five. In 1981, they played in the senior All-Ireland final and in 1982, they won it.

Coady calls out Sunday Game

The first word of former Carlow hurler Paul Coady’s Twitter bio is ‘Outspoken’, so it should be no surprise that he sent a shot across the bows of RTÉ at the weekend.

Carlow led for long spells before going down to Dublin by 1-24 to 0-22. Mount Leinster Rangers clubman Coady let it be known that the game deserved significant coverage on television.

Tagging The Sunday Game’s official account, Coady posted: “I’ll tell ye now, a 20 minute analysis of a match already shown live is not needed tonight-followed by a 30 second voiceover of the Carlow/Antrim matches. Don’t have usual analysts preach the GAA need to grow the game and then not reward the counties efforts.”

When a post starts with “I’ll tell ye now”, you know someone means business . . .

Lodge’s colourful turn of phrase

Speaking of RTÉ, Pauric Lodge is following in the footsteps of a long tradition of Gaelic games commentators who describe the action and the event in evocative tones.

Crowds on the pitch at St Tiernach's Park, Clones, after the game between Down and Armagh. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

The Portlaoise native, a stalwart of the Stars of Erin club in Dublin, has established himself as one of the leading ‘announcers’ and has a penchant for colourful descriptions of the occasion.

On Saturday, there was a classic of the genre in the Down v Armagh match.

“Armagh have it now with Aaron McKay,” Lodge began, “and as you drive in the narrow country roads into Clones, you can certainly notice the farm smells, lots of cattle and a few sheep in the fields around Clones as the ball is with Paddy Burns for Armagh.”

Tight margins prove cruel for Wexford

Antrim's Sean Elliott and Shane Reck of Wexford compete for the ball at Corrigan Park. Photograph: Leah Schole/Inpho

While Saturday’s loss to a resurgent Antrim is a hugely dispiriting defeat for Wexford hurlers, the margins have been fine for them. Remarkably, while they’ve only won one match of their seven this season in league and championship, the Antrim game was only their second loss.

Wexford drew their opening three league games against Kilkenny, Clare and Offaly, beat Waterford and lost to Cork before drawing against Dublin in the first round of the championship.

Word of Mouth

“To be honest, I don’t think James Owens even knows what he’s doing here at the minute.” – Radio analyst Shane McGrath on the ref during the frantic late moments of Cork v Clare.

By the Numbers: 28

Championship meetings between Tyrone and Donegal. Tyrone lead 15-12 with one draw.

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