Limerick fall short against Kildare in Tailteann Cup final

LIMERICK were narrowly defeated 1-24 to 2-19 in the Tailteann Cup final on Saturday afternoon in Croke Park. Despite Limerick's two point defeat, Jimmy Lee can be very proud of his side's effort after they left everything out on the field throughout the 70 minutes. 

The Division four league champions looked to be in control midway through the second half but a strong final quarter from Kildare proved to be the difference in them getting over the line. In the last play of the game, Limerick trailed by three points and Rory O'Brien's effort just went over the bar. 

Tony McCarthy, Jason Hassett, Peter Nash, Cillian Fahy, and Cillian Ryan were among Limerick’s standout performers in their Tailteann Cup final defeat to Kildare. Meanwhile, man of the match Darragh Kirwan, Ryan Sinkey, Alex Beirne and Colm Dalton impressed for the victors.

Limerick supporters have plenty of reasons to be optimistic heading into the 2026 Division 3 campaign.

The Shannonsiders recorded victories over London, Antrim, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow during the Tailteann Cup, while their opponents Kildare got the better of Sligo, Tipperary, Leitrim, Offaly and Fermanagh on their route to the final. 

The winners of Saturday Tailteann Cup were guaranteed Sam Maguire football for the 2026 season. Kildare confirmed their place in the Tailteann Cup when they suffered a defeat to Louth in the Leinster SFC semi-final, while  Limerick's loss to Cork in the Munster SFC quarter-final meant they were also playing Tailteann Cup football. 

Jimmy Lee’s side built strong momentum over the summer, stringing together five consecutive victories as they aimed to secure Limerick’s first national championship football title in 129 years. Brian Flanagan was into his first year in charge of Kildare after he replaced Glenn Ryan as manager. 

Kildare's Alex Beirne and two pointer from Calum Bolton had the Leinster side leading 0-3 to 0-1 after five minutes. Limerick's Emmet Rigter who was named on the Tailteann Cup team of the year in 2024 reduced the gap to the minimium. On six minutes, Rigter was through on goal and his shot was saved by Kildare goalkeeper Cian Burke. Limerick captain Cillian Fahy stayed alert to the rebound and Fahy finished the ball into the back of the net. 

Limerick midfielder Tommie Childs got his name on the scoreboard to push the Shannonsiders 1-3 to 0-3 clear. The Lilywhites' response was impressive scoring 1-7 without reply in a ten minute spell. Darragh Kirwan, Kevin Feely and Daniel Flynn were all on target during that period, while on 15 minutes Alex Beirne cooly slotted the ball past Limerick goalkeeper Josh Ryan. 

Limerick regrouped and Lee's  charges were showing huge levels of patience on the ball when faced against a stubborn defence. Emmet Rigter, Danny Neville, James Naughton, Peter Nash and Josh Ryan made it 1-10 to 1-8 on 31 minutes. During that spell, Cillian Fahy had a goal chance which was saved by Cian Burke. 

Brian Flanagan’s side responded impressively, stretching their lead to four points as Colm Dalton and Alex Beirne finished off superb team moves. Kildimo-Pallaskenry's Peter Nash kept Limerick within touching distance with a well-taken score, but Kildare quickly hit back through a fisted point from Ryan Sinkey, restoring their advantage.

Kildare led 1-13 to 1-9 at the interval, Tony McCarthy and Ryan Sinkey traded scores in the early exchanges of the second half. 

Limerick goalkeeper Josh Ryan confidently struck a long-range free, securing a valuable two-point score, while defender Iain Corbett chipped in with his first point of the day to reduce the deficit to a single score. However, Kildare’s reliable marksman Darragh Kirwan responded swiftly, restoring his side’s two-point advantage.

Peter Nash, ever-lively in attack, answered back for Lee’s men to ramp up the pressure once again. Then, a surging run from wing-back Killian Ryan was capped by a clinical close-range finish from the Mungret St Paul’s man, propelling Limerick into a 2-15 to 1-16 lead on 48 minutes. 

In the following five minutes, both teams were guilty of wasteful shooting in front of goal. Substitute Brian McLoughlin stepped up to bring the sides level. Cillian Fahy and Darragh Kirwan then exchanged points, keeping the game finely balanced.

Tommy Gill, along with Kildare captain Kevin Feely, pushed the victors ahead, 1-21 to 2-16 on 58 minutes. However, Limerick wing-back Killian Ryan responded swiftly to drag the Treaty men back into contention.

Late efforts from Brian McLoughlin and Colm Dalton gave the Division 3 league finalists a bit of breathing space heading into the final stretch. Yet, Limerick continued to show immense character, fighting back through James Naughton and Rory O'Brien. Despite their spirited surge, time ran out and Kildare held on for hard-fought two-point victory.

SCORERS: 

LIMERICK: Cillian Fahy 1-1, Killian Ryan 1-1, Tony McCarthy 0-3, Peter Nash (0-3, 0-1 free, Josh Ryan (0-3, 0-1 two pointer free, 0-1 45), Emmet Rigter 0-2, James Naughton (0-2, 0-1 free), Danny Neville, Iain Corbett, Rory O'Brien andTommie Childs 0-1 each. 

KILDARE: Darragh Kirwan (0-8, 0-2 two pointers), Alex Beirne 1-2, Ryan Sinkey 0-3, Kevin Feely (0-2, 0-1 free), Colm Dalton 0-2, Brian McLoughlin (0-3, 0-1, two pointer, Calum Bolton (0-1, two pointer) ), Daniel Flynn and Tommy Gill 0-1 each. 

LIMERICK: Josh Ryan (Oola); Jason Hassett (Mungret St Paul's), Darren O'Doherty (Newcastle West), Mark McCarthy (Fr Casey's); Killian Ryan (Mungret St Paul's), Iain Corbett (Newcastle West), Tony McCarthy (Kildimo-Pallaskenry); Tommie Childs (Galtee Gaels), Darragh O'Hagan (Mungret St Paul's), Paul Maher (Adare), Emmet Rigter (Newcastle West), Cillian Fahy (Dromcollogher-Broadford, Captain), Danny Neville (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan); Emmet Rigter (Newcastle West), James Naughton (St Senan's), Peter Nash (Kildimo-Pallaskenry). 

SUBS: Barry Coleman (Rathkeale) for Tommie Childs (16 minutes-18 minutes temporary substitution), Darragh Murray (Monaleen) for O'Hagan 42 minutes), Barry Coleman (Rathkeale) for Maher (47 minutes),  Bob Childs (Galtee Gaels) for Rigter (54 minutes), Tadgh O'Siochru (Monaleen) for Corbett (61 minutes), Rory O'Brien for Tommie Childs (66 minutes)

KILDARE Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Ryan Burke, Brian Byrne; Tommy Gill, David Hyland, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, Brendan Gibbons; Colm Dalton, Alex Beirne, Callum Bolton; Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan, Daniel Flynn.