2024 Tailteann Cup Football – Kildare 5-15 Waterford 0-6

Kildare defeated Waterford by 5-15 to 0-6 in Round 2 of the Tailteann Cup Football on Saturday May 18th at Fraher Field Dungarvan.

Kildare cruise into Tailteann knockouts as Curry brings up Déise century

Tailteann Cup: Kildare 5-15 Waterford 0-6

Report by Tomas McCarthy for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Kildare cantered into the knockout stages of the Tailteann Cup in Dungarvan on Saturday evening but it was still a landmark occasion for Waterford midfielder Michael Curry.

“100 games for your county, that’s some achievement,” shouted manager Paul Shankey in the huddle before he made a presentation to the centurion from Rathgormack. “You only have so many years to play at a competitive level,” remarked the modest number eight. “Play as long as you can. That’s what I enjoy doing.”

Shankey praised his character. “A brilliant fella. He’s solid; he’s dependable. The lads look up to him massively. An honest, hard-working man and a great footballer. They are all the traits you look for.”

Unfortunately, Curry got his marching orders after 50 minutes as he picked up a yellow card and a black. Kildare outscored the 14 men 5-7 to 0-3 in the second half as Glenn Ryan’s men went to town on Waterford turnovers.

Super sub Shane O’Sullivan netted twice while Kevin Flynn, Niall Kelly and Paddy Woodgate also raised green flags. Darragh Kirwan was another to catch the eye with four first-half points from play.

In front of a strong away support, the Lilywhites donned an all-black kit and enjoyed an 8-3 half time advantage. Kirwan led the way while Kevin Feely, Luke Killian and Niall Kelly also contributed. Paddy Woodgate blasted across the face of goal and wide. Mark Cummins kicked Waterford’s first point on five minutes while Jason Curry got one from play and one from a free.

The leaders were guilty of seven first-half wides. Wing forward Barry Kelly was black carded in injury time for a trip on Liam Fennell.

That dismissal didn’t make any difference as Kildare notched 1-4 without reply in the third quarter. A controversial Luke Killian point angered Shankey on the sideline as the ball appeared to fly right and wide. On 45 minutes, Kildare won a turnover off a Déise kickout and Woodgate finished to the bottom corner. The hosts then lost Michael Curry to a black card.

Kildare capitalised with four goals in nine minutes from Niall Kelly, Shane O’Sullivan and Kevin Flynn. A 24 point winning margin as well as eleven wides for Glenn Ryan to take home with him.

Scorers for Kildare: S O’Sullivan 2-0, N Kelly 1-3, P Woodgate 1-2 (2fs), K Flynn 1-1, D Kirwan 0-4, K Feely (1f, 1 mark), L Killian 0-2 each, S McCormack 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: J Curry 0-3 (2fs), D Fitzgerald, S Curry, M Cummins 0-1 each.

KILDARE: D Cordonnier; R Burke, S Ryan, E Doyle; T Archbold, B Byrne, K Flynn; L Killian, B Gibbons; P McDermott, D Kirwan, B Kelly; P Woodgate, K Feely, N Kelly.
Subs: A Beirne for Gibbons (47), S O’Sullivan for Kirwan (51), S McCormack for Feely (56), D O’Donoghue for Burke (58), R Teahan for McDermott (62).

WATERFORD: A Beresford; C Walsh, L Fennell, R Browne; D Ryan, M Cummins, R McGrath; M Curry, T Guiry; J Walsh, J Curry, B Hynes; S Curry, J Power, B O’Keeffe.
Subs: S Whelan Barrett for J Walsh (56), C Ó Cuirrín for Hynes (56), D Fitzgerald for Power (58), M O’Brien for J Curry (70).

Referee: S Mulhare (Laois)

Team News

Paul Shankey has named the Waterford Senior Football Team to play Kildare in the Tailteann Cup on Saturday May 18th at 5pm in Fraher Field, Dungarvan

Tickets: https://t.co/81oHENkb0B#SuirEngineering #DéiseAbú pic.twitter.com/Tn9e9zd2OQ

— Waterford GAA (@WaterfordGAA) May 16, 2024

WATERFORD (SFC v Kildare): A. Beresford; R. Browne, C. Walsh, L. Fennell; R. McGrath, B. O’Keeffe, D. Ryan; M. Curry, T. Guiry; J. Walsh, J. Curry (c), B. Hynes; S. Curry, J. Power, S. Whelan Barrett.
Subs: P. Hunt, A. Dunwoody, D. Fitzgerald, C. Ó Cuirrín, M. O’Brien, M. Cummins, T. Martin, J. Sheehan, R. Lynch, N. McSweeney, J. Kinsella.