Fri, 17 Apr, 2026 - 09:59

Hurlers near full strength for opening Leinster Championship clash

Brian Dowling has picked his team for the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship tie against Wexford from a near full strength squad

Ger McNally

Brian Dowling has the luxury of naming a near full strength team for Kildare’s opening Leinster Senior Hurling Championship game against Wexford (Saturday at 6.30pm in Cedral St Conleths Park) Long term injury absentees James Burke and Cathal Dowling are still out, although there is confidence that both could still appear in this year’s Championship, but apart from them Dowling picks from a full strength squad.

Jack Travers returns having picked up an injury in the league game against Antrim earlier in the year, while Dan O’Meara has also recovered from a knock suffered in a recent challenge game.

After experimenting somewhat in the final league game against Wexford, when Kildare’s safety was already assured, Dowling returns to the tried and tested for this huge Championship clash.

With Paddy McKenna in goal, the back six and midfield duo in front of him have a familiar look to it.

David Qualter, Cathal McCabe and Gerry Keegan are named as the half forward line with Travers named at full forward and Muiris Curtin and Jack Sheridan in the corners, but it would be no surprise to see some positional changes by the time of throw-in on Saturday evening.

There’s strength in depth on the bench too with Richy Hogan and Darragh Melville key players from last year’s McDonagh Cup winning squad. Tim Ryan and Tom Power offer the youthful exuberance after their impressive showings with the Kildare U20s this year.

Hurlers capable of some upsets in Leinster Championship

Kildare team v Wexford

1. Paddy McKenna (Clane)

2. Liam O’Reilly (Naas)

3. Rian Boran (Naas)

4. Dan O’Meara (Maynooth)

5. Paul Dolan (Éire Óg Corra Choill)

6. Cian Boran (Naas)

7. Simon Leacy (Naas)

8. Daire Guerin (Naas)

9. Conan Boran (Naas)

10. David Qualter (Maynooth)