Kildare's Leinster U20 Championship game abandoned 

Kildare’s Leinster U20 Football Championship quarter-final against Westmeath in Kinnegad this evening was abandoned at half time, with Kildare 0-6 to 0-3 ahead at the time.

Strapping midfielder TJ Nolan suffered a suspected broken leg in the 26th minute and although the game resumed after a lengthy stoppage and played on until half time, referee Ian Howley further inspected the pitch after both teams left for the dressing rooms. With heavy rain falling, the Dublin referee seemed to have particular concerns with an area on the pitch near where Nolan had suffered his injury and made the call to abandon the game.

Nolan, whose mother Aisling is one of the famous Treacy sisters who formed part of a wonderful St Laurences camogie team who dominated the Kildare Championship in the last 90s and early 00s, has had injury problems in the past but has battled back. He was a hugely important figure for St Laurences as they reached the Intermediate Championship final last year and even in this game, was playing a key role as Kildare recovered from being 0-3 to 0-1 behind early on to get on top around the middle of the field before he suffered the injury while in the act of shooting.

Speaking after the game, Kildare manager Niall Cronin’s first thoughts were for his stricken player.

“It's tough on any player to be honest but that chap has had no luck,” said Cronin.

“It's devastating for him, first and foremost, and his family but it does look like a significant injury to his lower leg.

“It's sport, it happens, but TJ's been in the Kildare squad since he was under 16, two years at minor, three years at under 20. He's just had absolutely no run at it but he's been in unbelievable form for us this year," he said. 

Through his own work with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), Cronin has encountered numerous jockeys who have shown resilience to battle back from injuries and he compared the mental toughness that Nolan has shown in the past to those elite level athletes.

“I am devastated for him. The mental resilience, I suppose, is something I'd say I've seen a lot in my own work, with the jockeys that keep getting injured and keep bouncing back.

“TJ's probably the footballer that's comparable to that, to be honest. He's just come back from injury and setback after setback after setback. His resilience is incredible.

“It's a journey he's going to have to go on again now unfortunately. We'll see what the diagnosis is in due course. He's gone to hospital now. It puts into perspective everything else that's going on this evening,” said Cronin.

The Kildare manager quickly realised the severity of the injury even though it happened on the opposite side of the pitch and paid tribute to those who came to his aid.

“I just knew, within seconds, by the way he hadn’t moved that it was serious. I have to say, the Westmeath medical team, as well as their own, were top class and excellent. That's very much appreciated. The ambulance is just bringing him away there now. That response was very quick. We’re very appreciative to everyone involved there, it makes a big difference,” said Cronin.

The Naas man said once the referee decided to make the call at half time to abandon the game, there could be no arguments.

“Once a referee mentions player welfare and raises his concern, you have to respect that,” said Cronin.

However, he didn’t lay the blame for the injury on the pitch but understood why the referee made his decision..

“I don't think the injury was related to the pitch, personally. I'd need to see it back again. That's just on first viewing. When the shot was blocked, I think there was a collision there and  I think that's where the injury came from but referee had concerns for player welfare and at that point he made the call.

"He brought us out and we had a look at it. He was very strong in his opinion, as were his linesmen that the pitch was now unplayable. That's the call he's made.

"There's nothing we can do to change that. Whatever we think isn't really that relevant. That's the decision he's made and you respect that.

"Maybe he had a closer view. Maybe he felt that the injury was pitch related but I think if he did, he probably would have called it in at the time. There was one area in particular that he was concerned about, but it is what it is,” said Cronin.

While Nolan’s well-being was first and foremost in all minds, the abandonment does throw up a very real problem of when the game might be replayed at probably the busiest time of the year in the GAA calendar.

Colm Moran and Liam Kelly both started for Kildare this evening and they will be part of Brian Flanagan’s senior squad for the Leinster quarter-final on Sunday. The Kildare U20 hurlers are due to play a Championship game against Wexford, with Charlie Carroll a part of both squads. The matter is further complicated by Westmeath’s U20 hurlers playing a refixed Championship game against Kerry on Friday.

“Wiser people than me are going to have to come up with that one I think,” said Cronin, but one way or another a solution for the fixture will have to be found quickly.

“Absolutely,” agreed Cronin.

“We had a long debate there and we trashed around various different days but ultimately we went round in circles a few times, but in a very constructive manner with everyone raising everyone else's concerns. We wouldn't be aware of what is a trouble for Westmeath, and Westmeath wouldn't be aware of what's a trouble for us.

“But ultimately we can only show Leinster Council what our schedules are and the players that are impacted by that. And ultimately they're going to have to make a call. That’s pretty much it,” he said.

**All at the Kildare Nationalist would like to wish TJ Nolan the very best wishes with his injury and his rehab ahead. We hope it won’t be too long before we see him back in a St Laurences and Kildare jersey again.