Kildare triumphed over Derry with a score of 4-21 to 1-22, thanks in part to scoring two goals in each half of the Christy Ring Cup final at Croke Park on that Sunday afternoon. This well-deserved victory has earned them a place in next year’s Joe McDonagh Cup. Their knack for seizing scoring opportunities contrasted sharply with Derry’s struggle to counter with their own goal attempts; this difference played a crucial role in the outcome of the game.
From the start, it appeared that Kildare would be the stronger team, with Simon Leacy putting them on the scoreboard in the third minute. Derry’s defence seemed unsteady, giving Muiris Curtin an opportunity to swoop in, gain possession and fire a flawless shot into the top corner of Oisín O’Doherty’s goal, sending Derry on a downward trajectory. Derry started scoring in the 6th minute thanks to Cormac O’Doherty’s free shot, but Kildare applied constant pressure, widening their lead with points from Cathal McCabe and Conan Boran.
The first quarter’s end saw both sides exchanging points, with O’Doherty achieving an impressive save that stopped James Burke from creating a second goal for Kildare. However, this setback spurred Derry onwards, particularly Mullan, who, having been galvanised by O’Doherty’s save, accumulated three remarkable points within four minutes, reducing Kildare’s lead to a sliver by the 23rd minute.
Swiftly, Jack Sheridan provided a steadying free for Kildare, breaking a seven-minute spell without scores and adding an impressive point, which tipped the balance in the scoreboard back towards Kildare. Sheridan, with his precise placements, became a key player in Kildare’s chances of winning. This importance was underscored when he hit home a penalty in the 33rd minute, following a foul on James Burke.
The first half ended with Kildare enjoying a comfortable lead, thanks in part to an outstanding point from Cian Boran. Cormac O’Doherty and Christy McNaughton managed to rack up some late points for Derry, trimming the deficit to six points at half-time. This momentum transferred into the early stages of the second half, with both O’Doherty and the indomitable Mullan adding to their respective point tallies in the opening minute.
The former squad managed to hold on to the initiative by scoring on two free kicks, despite Kildare’s two rather haphazard misses highlighting their general disquiet as their advantage slipped further. Nevertheless, they managed to regain their momentum as Sheridan successfully scored on two free kicks and they found ways to create more space for themselves in the 49th minute. It was then that David Qualter took control and was able to skilfully navigate in the thirty-metre distance from the goal, creating enough clearance to execute an unbeatable finish leaving O’Doherty unable to intervene.
This setback sapped the energy from the Derry team, although Jack Cassidy the substitute captured attention with two pleasant scores. However, as the half continued, these points were insufficient, as Sheridan persisted in exploiting the opposition at the other end of the field.
A fourth goal came through for Kildare when Burke pursued a rebound in the 68th minute. In the final phases, while Derry launched determined attacks on the Kildare goal, their only reward was a penalty scored by O’Doherty. This was a minor consolation for Derry when the game came to an end.
Kildare team: P McKenna; M Grace, R Boran, C Shanahan; P Dolan (0-1), C Boran (0-1), D O’Meara; S Leacy (0-2), C McCabe (0-1); D Guerin, J Burke (1-2), C Boran (0-3); J Sheridan (1-9, eight frees, one pen), D Qualter (1-1), M Curtin (1-0). Substitutes: J Dolan replaced Guerin (46 mins), D Flaherty (0-1) substituted for Curtin (54), H Carroll for Shanahan (55), C Dowling for McCabe (62), M Delaney for Burke (71).
Derry Team: O O’Doherty; P Kelly, M Craig, N Farren; S Cassidy, R Mullan (0-1), M McGrath; C O’Kane, C O’Reilly; D McGilligan (0-1), C O’Doherty (1-11, nine frees, one pen) C Murray; J Mullan (0-6), C McNaughton (0-1), R Ó Mianáin.
Replacements: J Cassidy, scoring 0-2, was brought on for O’Kane at 40 minutes, S Quinn substituted Farren at 50 minutes, S Kelly replaced McNaughton during the 53rd minute, D Mooney took over from O’Reilly at 62 minutes, and J Friel substituted for Murray at 67 minutes. The match was overseen by referee Brian Keon from Galway.