O'Reilly lands late winner for Kildare
Cian Boran hold's off the challenge of Antrim's Ryan McCambridge Photo: Sean Brilly
Liam O Reilly was the Kildare hero when he converted a last minute point to secure an important win in the semi final of the Walsh Cup shield. It was looking like Antrim had done enough as we moved into three minutes of injury time but Jack Sheridan, with his tenth point, a leveller from Jack Travers and then O Reilly's effort after he got on the end of Cathal McCabe's pass secured a memorable early season win.
On a day where Paddy McKenna celebrated a milestone 100th competitive appearance, Kildare began their 2026 season on the back of a successful 2025 campaign that landed the McDonagh Cup and promotion to Division 1B. Fellow 1B contenders Antrim, under the management of Davy Fitzgerald, were the visitors to Hawfield on Sunday afternoon and Brian Dowling and his charges were anxious to make the best possible start to the season.
Jack Sheridan hit the first of his six opening half frees after three minutes and two minutes later Muiris Curtin landed a beautiful long range effort from wide on the right. Antrim responded with two frees from full forward Conal Cunning before Joseph McLaughlin edged them in front for first time.
Jack Sheridan punished Antrim with two further frees on 10 and 13 minutes but midfielder Eoin O'Neill and a third Cunning free kept the Saffrons in front. Kildare outscored Antrim by four points to three over the closing 13 minutes of the half. The action while not tasty was full blooded as both sides sought out an opening win of the season.
Jack Sheridan hit three late frees either side of a brilliant Gerry Keegan effort. Keegan had all the work to do after James Dolan's effort was blocked by Eoin McFerran. Cunning landed a fourth free on 28 minutes before Ryan McCambridge reduced the gap to the minimum with the last puck of the half. Kildare lead 0-8 to 0-7 as the sides were happy to escape the elements.
Antrim returned with a renewed pep in their step and two goals inside three minutes had Kildare five adrift.Jack McCloskey picking up Conal Cunning's pass before Paul Boyle swept home a second despite Paddy McKenna's full length save from McCloskey.
Paul Dolan and Keegan, with his second, helped reduce the gap before the influential Cathal McCabe set up Curtin and Sheridan to reduce the gap. Sheridan and Cunning swapped points and again it was Jack Sheridan who reduced the gap to the minimum with 10 minutes to play.
Kildare were a lot more solid in defence with Daniel O'Meara leading from the front and both Paul Dolan and Cian Boran will be happy with their contributions. Brian Dowling was starting to unleash from the subs bench and it would be two of those who's scores would prove crucial as Kildare edged their way to victory.
The closing minutes were close and tense. Conal Cunning and Cormac McKeown looked to have sealed victory as Antrim moved two ahead with three minutes of injury time signalled. Sheridan landed a difficult free before Liam O Reilly and Muiris Curtin combined to set up Jack Travers for the equaliser and with penalties in the offing it was that man Cathal McCabe who found Liam O Reilly for the winner much to the delight of the sizeable Kildare support.
Kildare will look forward to the visit of Kilkenny next weekend in the Shield final as the preparations continue for the league opener at the end of the month.
Paddy McKenna; Evan O Briain, Rian Boran, Daniel O'Meara, Paul Dolan 0-1, Cian Boran, Daire Guerin; Alan Goss, Cathal McCabe; Caolan Smith, Gerry Keegan 0-2, Tim Ryan, Jack Sheridan 0-10 (9f), Muiris Curtin 0-2, James Dolan. Subs: Jack Travers 0-1 for Ryan, 40; Darragh Melville for Dolan, 46; Liam O'Reilly 0-1 for O Briain, 50; Michael Owens for Melville, 51; Tom Power for Keegan, 52.
Domhall Nugent; Ryan McNulty, Eoin McFerran, Ruairi McCormick, Gerard Walsh, Joe Maskey, Sean McKay; Eoin O Neill 0-1, Ryan McCambridge 0-1; Scott Walsh, Paul Boyle 1-0, Sean Duffin, Jack McCloskey 1-0, Conal Cunning 0-6fs, Joseph McLaughlin 0-1. Subs: Niall O'Connor for McKay, 29; Seann Elliott for McCloskey, 43; Conor Johnson for McLaughlin, 43; James McNaughton for O'Neill, 47; Conor McKeown 0-1 for Duffin, 49.
Kyle Waters (Offaly)
