Second-half scoring prowess propels Kildare past Laois in Joe McDonagh Cup final

The Laois hurlers have lost a second successive Joe McDonagh Cup final after Kildare had 10 points to spare over Tommy Fitzgerald’s side in Croke Park. 

Kildare 2-26

Laois 1-19

Kildare raised the game's first white flag after just 50 seconds as Jack Sheridan split the posts, moments after Mossy Keyes had pucked a wide for Laois. It was Keyes who got Laois off the mark after James Keyes was fouled in midfield. James Burke edged Kildare ahead again with four minutes on the clock. A long-range effort from Laois centre-back Podge Delaney saw the sides level at two points apiece after six minutes. Kildare responded with two scores from David Qualter—one from play and one from a free.

Laois hit back with two of their own, a Mossy Keyes free and a Ben Conroy point from play after Jer Quinlan picked him out. Qualter and Delaney then traded frees to leave it five apiece after 15 minutes. Kildare pulled ahead for the fifth time as Qualter struck over two placed balls. Simon Leacy had a half-chance for goal, but Laois keeper Cathal Dunne batted it away. After 22 minutes, Laois had as many wides as Kildare had points (seven). They drew level again through points from Conroy and Lee Cleere.

Gerry Keegan and Leacy pushed Kildare in front once more before Mossy Keyes replied with a free, only for Qualter to restore the two-point gap with his fifth of the game. Laois then hit a purple patch and took the lead for the first time. James Keyes opened his account before two more frees from Mossy Keyes. The sides went in level at half-time, thanks to a Qualter free in added time—0-11 to 0-11. Laois ended the half with 11 wides, matching their points total.

The second half started perfectly for Laois as Ben Conroy bundled the ball over the line after Paddy McKenna spilled Paddy Purcell’s shot. Laois keeper Dunne then pulled off a superb double save—first from Cathal McCabe, then again from Sheridan. But Kildare replied with three unanswered points: two Qualter frees and one from Sheridan. Mossy Keyes nudged Laois back in front with a free, but it would be their last lead. Kildare countered with points from Sheridan, Paul Dolan, and another Qualter free. Fiachra C-Fennell and Keegan traded scores, before James Keyes and Paddy Purcell levelled it again at 0-17 to 1-14 after 53 minutes.

From there, Kildare took over, scoring 1-4 without reply. Qualter landed three frees, Keegan added one, and substitute Jack Travers buried a shot into the top corner after Dunne had initially saved from Sheridan. James Duggan pulled one back for Laois, but the decisive blow came with Kildare’s second goal—Sheridan finally finding the net at the third attempt. Points from PJ Scully and Purcell were matched by Burke, Muiris Curtin, Sheridan and Travers, as Kildare were crowned deserving winners of the 2025 Joe McDonagh Cup.

Laois now face Munster opposition in the form of Tipperary in a preliminary quarter-final next weekend in Portlaoise.