Offaly brush Kildare aside to remain in All-Ireland race
By Kevin Egan
It’s not just on the weather front where a dismal spring has finally faded into memory, to be replaced by what has been, so far, a spectacularly good summer.
Of all the games that the Offaly hurlers have played across an excellent Leinster championship campaign, it could be argued that the focus and discipline that they showed to brush Kildare aside, taking the possibility of an upset off the table from early on, was as impressive as anything they’ve done.
That 1-29 to 0-15 win was exactly how you would expect a top tier county to dismantle an underdog like Kildare, but in the past we’ve seen Offaly teams get sucked into nerve-wracking battles in games like this.
As the news filtered through to Newbridge that Dublin had beaten Kilkenny, then the celebrations could begin, and regardless of what happens in a little over three weeks against either Limerick or Cork, just getting that extra time to hurl together as a group in summer conditions and getting exposed to that high level fixture against one of the main powers of the game hurling at full throttle will be of immense value to a young Offaly side that is taking on new experiences and learning as they go.
It is both possible, and necessary, to celebrate what has been achieved and also retain a sense of realism. The past five days has seen any amount of commentary about Offaly’s revival and the crisis in Kilkenny, even though it was only a disputed 65 decision (and of course the incredible composure of Eoghan Cahill under pressure to convert it) that was the difference between where the two counties stood in the table.
Of course that response is a reflection on where Offaly and Kilkenny are coming from, as much as it is a reflection on where they are.
At the risk of pouring cold water on the fires of hope that Offaly are three games from winning the All-Ireland, 2026 is still likely to be remembered as a stepping stone of a season. Even so, just having that sense of excitement around the county, with people appreciating the hard work of the players – young and old – as well as the steady hands that have guided them this far, is a very happy place to be.