Kildare sweep Leitrim optimism aside in ruthless demolition in Newbridge

The gentle waves of optimism that washed over Leitrim fans after their Connacht Semi-Final battle with Mayo were brutally swept away on a tidal wave of Kildare points as the Green & Gold were demolished by a rampant home side on Saturday in Cedral St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge.

Given the travails of the League and a much stronger Leitrim line-up, it seemed as if that optimism was well placed 26 minutes into the game as Steven Poacher’s side trailed by just two points, having missed the best goal chance of the game up to that point.

But then Leitrim’s dream performance turned into a nightmare of epic proportions as a barrage of Kildare scores, nine points in as many minutes and only one of them a two-pointer, turned what had been a battling performance into a nightmare evening in the fantastic redeveloped Newbridge venue.

Trailing 0-16 to 0-7 at the break, Kildare made sure to put the game beyond reach quickly and with an efficiency that Leitrim could only envy. By the time Barry McNulty got Leitrim’s first score of the second half, seven minutes in, Kildare had landed six unanswered points as they kept the pedal to the metal all the way to the finish.

Poacher’s side started with just seven of the team that took to the field in Ballinamore in the League, a game that ended with a 23 point hammering, genuinely confident that the return of Barry McNulty, Donal Casey & Cillian McGloin would make a difference and for a time it did, even if Leitrim struggled to get a foothold in the middle of the park.

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It was clearly obvious that Kildare manager Brian Flanagan had done his homework on Leitrim because, in what was regarded as a surprise move, they started Mick O’Grady at midfield and while it raised eyebrows among the Lilywhite fans around me, the plan was clearly to negate the impact Barry McNulty might make.

Even with their immense physical power in that sector, Kildare nevertheless flooded the sector with bodies and O’Grady and a teammate never allowed the Glencar Manorhamilton man to get off the ground or burst free with the ball, the impression that McNulty’s performance against Mayo was very much noted.

That left Leitrim working with next to nothing in terms of possession compared to Kildare - when they did break, the Green & Gold looked dangerous but with such impressive physical specimens in the sector, Kildare made sure that Leitrim winning ball, of any time, was a relatively rare occurrence.

Yet for all that, Leitrim were right in contention with nine minutes left in the first half but then it all went to hell as pressure and mistakes were gleefully exploited by the home team. Leitrim gave away cheap possession through misplaced passes, carrying the ball into tackles or poor handling and Kildare made Leitrim pay.

Once they got to halftime with a nine point lead, Kildare were able to relax - they would have the wind behind in the second half and they made good use of it as Leitrim wilted under the relentless pressure Brian Flanagan’s side exerted, clearly determined to run up a big score to help with their scoring stats.

The second half was a chastening one - Kildare struck 19 points to just four for the Green & Gold as the gulf in physicality and power on the ball was repeatedly exposed. To their credit, Leitrim never dropped the head but the sheer volume of chances and strength in the Lilywhite ranks meant this was a humbling and demoralising experience.

Sligo are next up on Sunday in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada and Leitrim are in somewhat of a desperate position - the scoring difference means that Leitrim must get something, even a draw, from the encounter with the Yeatsmen or their Tailteann Cup campaign could come to an early end in 2025.

Kildare signalled early intent with Alex Beirne converting a free from the corner in the first minute before Kevin Feely finished off a good passing move set up by a surging run from David Hyland. Beirne added another free after six minutes following a wide from Darren Cox.

But Leitrim were showing they could be a threat - Barry McNulty and Riordan O’Rourke combined to release Tom Prior and the Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins clubman fisted the ball over the bar seven minutes in.

A minute later came one of those sliding doors moments when Cillian McGloin, McNulty and Ben Guckian combined to break free from the middle of the park, the ball reaching Riordan O’Rourke but the Fenagh St Caillins man saw his shot saved somewhat easily by Cian Burke in the Kildare goal.

Kevin Feeley and Darragh Swords added points while Leitrim’s scoring efforts were thwarted at the other end, McNulty seeing his attempt blocked as the ball carried into the keeper. Jimmy Hyland made it a five point lead after 13 minutes but then Leitrim began to make some headway.

Tom Prior got his second of the game when he cut in from the wing to point, although referee Liam Devaney had failed to spot a breach of the three man rule by Kildare beforehand. Alex Beirne put a free wide and after a Leitrim kickout was intercepted, Darragh Kirwan drove a goal chance wide across the goal.

Debutant David Feeney had a wide before a foul on Darren Cox saw Barry McNulty hit a brilliant two-point free over the bar despite kicking into the breeze at the town centre end on 21 minutes.

Ryan Sinkey replied with a point that was typical of Kildare’s first half scores to that point - long periods of patient possession before creating a small gap for a close in score. Keith Keegan replied with an excellent point, holding off his man to score on the burst as Leitrim trailed 0-7 to 0-5 after 26 minutes.

Then it all went pear-shaped! Darragh Kirwan scored after a quick break, the kickout was turned over and Swords pointed. A minute later, Feely added another and suddenly there was a seven point gap when Beirne thumped over a two point free after 30 minutes.

Kildare threatened a goal when sloppy Leitrim play in defence gifted the ball to the home side but Barry McNulty got back to tackle Jimmy Hyland as he bore down on goal. Referee Liam Devaney adjudged it a foul, a very harsh decision and Beirne converted the effort.

Kirwan almost had a goal three minutes before the break, Ryan Sinkey releasing the big full-forward but he dragged his low shot wide of the far post. But it seemed as if Kildare were only starting to find their shooting boots as Beirne (free) and Sinkey (2) added quick points.

Leitrim did finish the half with a brave show of defiance, McNulty converting a free after a foul on Riordan O’Rourke before Leitrim won the kickout and set Keith Keegan away for the Mohill man’s second of the game, leaving the scoreline looking an ominous 0-16 to 0-7 at the break.

Leitrim needed everything to go their way in the second half and it looked as if they would get the perfect start when Donal Casey raided up the right wing, beat his man and put a pass towards Keith Keegan but the ball was just behind the Mohill man as he bore down on the square and the chance was lost.

Kildare made sure Leitrim would never have that chance again as Sinkey, Swords and Beirne (two-pointer) all hit points inside the first five minutes. Jimmy Hyland then landed a two pointer before Barry McNulty won a kickout and broke to fire over an excellent point after 42 minutes.

Darragh Swords increased the Kildare tally, Riordan O’Rourke replying after a pass from Keegan but Kildare then took advantage of the new rules, a mark awarded before dissent saw the ball moved in front of the goal but Alex Beirne took the option to bring the ball outside the 45 metre arch to fire over.

McNulty claimed a mark from the kickout, was impeded but opted to bring the ball outside the arch to hit his own two point score after 50 minutes, a score that ultimately proved to be Leitrim’s last of the contest.

Kildare would, unfortunately, add another 11 points before the finish - Ryan Sinkey, Beirne with a two point free, corner-back Harry O’Neill and Swards again. The scores kept coming with a relentless will as James McGrath and sub Niall O’Sullivan both landed points.

Ben Guckian put a two point free wide while Darren Cox was also off-target but Kildare never let up, Swords scoring two, Sinkey another before keeper Cian Burke brought the Leitrim nightmare to an end when he converted a fifty over four minutes into injury time.

KILDARE

Scorers: Alex Beirne 0-12, 2tp, 2tpf, 3f; Darragh Swords (f) & Ryan Sinkey (f) 0-6 each; Kevin Feely & Jimmy Hyland (1tp) 0-3 each; Cian Burke (f); Harry O'Neill, James McGrath; Mick O'Grady; Darragh Kirwan & Niall O'Sullivan 0-1 each

Team: Scorers: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Mark Dempsey, Ryan Burke; Kevin Flynn, David Hyland, James McGrath, Kevin Feely, Mick O'Grady; Darragh Swords, Alex Beirne, Paddy McDermott; Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan, Jimmy Hyland. Subs: Rian Teahan for Kirwan (HT); Brendan Gibbons for Feely (44); Ryan Houlihan for Hyland (52); Niall O'Sullivan for K Flynn, 56-63 b/s), Daniel Flynn for Beirne (59); Niall O'Sullivan for O'Neill (66)

LEITRIM

Scorers:  Barry McNulty 0-6, 2 tpf; 1f; Keith Keegan & Tom Prior 0-2 each; Riordan O’Rourke 0-1

Team: Daire O'Shea; Éanna McNamara, Donal Casey, Kieran Clancy; James Rooney, Mark Diffley, Jack Foley; Barry McNulty, Cillian McGloin; David Feeney, Keith Keegan, Tom Prior; Ben Guckian, Riordan O'Rourke, Darren Cox. Subs: Tom Hughes for McNamara (47); Seán Harkin for Feeney (52); Ryan Bohan for Rooney (63); Joe McGloin & Shane Finn for O'Rourke & Clancy (65)

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo)