allianz football leaguE cill dara– V – an cabhán

Sunday 18 october 2020 St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge

CLÁR OIFIGIÚIL/OFFICIAL PROGRAMME

@kildaregaa

www.kildaregaa.ie ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020

A MESSAGE from the chaIrman

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur romhaibh go continue to liaise with Croke Park and The léir go dtí Páirc Naomh Conlaith anseo i Leinster Council regarding how best to nDroichead Nua inniu agus tá súil agam minimise the spread of this virus and we go mbainfidh sibh sár-thaitneamh as an dá hope all keep safe and adhere to public chluiche health guidelines over the next few weeks. On behalf of Kildare GAA I want to I wish to thank our main sponsor welcome you all to St Conleth’s Park Brady Family and all our sponsors for today for the resumed Allianz League their continued support, we are extremely Football Division 2 game between Kildare grateful, and we wish you continued and Cavan. I want to extend a warm success. welcome to the Cavan team, management Finally, I want to thank all our loyal and officials on their visit today. I supporters and I hope you all enjoy today’s expect that we will all be treated to very game online, on TG4 or on KFM and RTE enjoyable, exciting and competitive match radio. here this afternoon. To ensure the running of our Yours in sport organisation and our games is of the highest standard it requires a lot of work Mick Gorman behind the scenes. On that note I want Cathaoirleach to thank my fellow officers, our stewards, and all who continue to volunteer their services to Kildare GAA. Thanks also to our grounds men for having our pitch in excellent condition for today’s game. I also want to express my thanks to Club Kildare who continue to raise funds for Kildare GAA. Unfortunately, as anticipated, the number of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) cases continue to increase. Kildare GAA

Today’s programme was compiled by the Kildare GAA Communications committee Photos supplied by Sean Brilly. Graphic Design: pixelpress.ie

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020

Coronavirus Coronavirus COVID-19 Public Health COVID-19 Advice Prevent the spread of Coronavirus

Stop Distance Wash shaking hands or yourself at least your hands well and hugging when saying 2 metres (6 feet) away often to avoid hello or greeting from other people, contamination other people especially those who might be unwell

Cover Avoid Clean your mouth and nose touching eyes, nose, and disinfect with a tissue or sleeve or mouth with frequently touched when coughing or unwashed hands objects and surfaces sneezing and discard used tissue

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020 No Seanie, but lots at stake, as Kildare and Cavan resume league action

TOMMY CALLAGHAN SPORTS EDITOR, LEINSTER LEADER

There was a time, and not too long To say it will be strange is a bit of an ago I hasten to add, that if your understatement, but the fact that the was still playing football in August your league is being finished is a real bonus, favourites were enjoying more than a and hopefully everything, and more decent season. importantly, everyone, players, officials, In Leinster, from a footballing point of etc, get through it safely. view, it meant you had made it to August Speaking of Cavan and it’s not too Bank Holiday weekend and with it a place long ago when one of The Breffni county in the Leinster Senior Football final and favourite sons discarded the blue and the dream of winning silverware was alive white of his native county for the all- and well. white of Kildare. Now, here we are, all but a fire cracker The great Seanie Johnston, talented away from Halloween, and the Allianz footballer, and sometimes hurler. Football League is still in operation The entire episode made headline and, wait for it, the Leinster Football news in print, radio and TV but to be Championship has not even commenced. eligible to don the white of Kildare, Who would have believed it. Johnston had first to play a club game All down, of course, to the coronavirus. in Lilywhiteland which led to him lining And so today, Sunday October 18, out in a game representing Coill Round 6 of the AFL (Division 2) throws- Dubh, a game that attracted a big crowd in with Cavan visiting St Conleth’s Park, to Conneff Park, , that included no in a game that throws-in at 2 pm, behind less than two TV crews. closed doors.

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020

Less than ten minutes into that game, Seanie was withdrawn to the safety of the dug-out, his eligibility secured. Division 2 is a very Seanie made his inter-county debut tight division with just for Kildare, under Kieran McGeeney against (and you just could not make this five points separating up) Cavan in an Allianz Football League top team, Armagh, game, coming on as a sub and scoring a from bottom side, point, a game Kildare won. The entire Johnston saga, was not a Fermanagh. success however, as despite putting in a monumental effort, the Cavan native Kildare have defeated Fermanagh was plagued with injuries, in particular a and Laois, losing out to Armagh, hamstring problem, that prevented him Roscommon and Clare. Kildare’s final from making any real impact, failing to get game, next Saturday, sees them entertain a decent injury-free run with McGeeney’s Westmeath, while Cavan have a home side. fixture, against Roscommon. In 2016, and following a change of The Lilies, due to the infamous management in Cavan, Seanie returned three county lockdown, find themselves to his native county where he once again somewhat behind in their preparation and showed his undoubted talent. along with the County Senior Football And so to Sunday, a vital game for Final, just two weeks ago, manager Jack both counties. O’Connor and his management team, Division 2 is a very tight division with have had very limited time with their just five points separating top team, panel of players, and even less with the full Armagh, from bottom side, Fermanagh. panel, but as the former successful Kerry Cavan are in a better place than their boss said, “such is life, we just have to get opponents on Sunday it has to be said, on with it.” lying in third spot with six points, while Difficult game to call and in fairness Kildare are in seventh, on four points. that can be said about the vast majority However, such is the tightness of the of Allianz Football League games being division that depending on this weekend’s played this weekend. The only sure thing results, any county, with the exception about the Kildare and Cavan game is that of bottom placed Fermanagh could find one Seanie Johnston will not be togging themselves catapulted right up the table. out. Cavan’s six points have come with wins For either Cavan or Kildare. over Fermanagh, Laois and Westmeath with loses to Clare and Armagh while Stay safe!

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020

Player Profile tommy moolick

Age: 28 Height: 6ft 4’ Occupation: Teacher Club: Position: Midfield GAA Honours (Club & County): U21 Championship with Leixlip U21 Leinster Championship, Division 2 League and O’Byrne Cup with Kildare What age were you when you started playing : 5 Best grounds you have ever played in: Croke Park Someone who has had an influence on your career: My Dad What do you most enjoy about been part of the GAA: The opportunity to Three words to describe yourself as a represent my family, club and county player: Hardworking, Motivated and Committed Best Advice someone has given you: There’s never a lost cause Favourite Sportsperson and why: Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) because How do you prepare for games: Relax he is hardworking and skilful the day before and make sure I have enough carbs and water on board and I Who is the best player you played with: pack my gear bag the night before my Johnny Doyle game. Best player you played against: Colm What advice have you for the young Cooper players in the county: Work hard and Most memorable GAA sporting make sure to always enjoy playing moment: Newbridge or Nowhere Expectations for the team for 2020: Favourite Club Player: Kyle Costello Our focus now is to obtain Division 1 Favourite County Player: Neil Flynn league status

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020 JOHN JOE O’REILLY who captained Cavan to 1947 All-Ireland win in New York had links with Kildare GAA and the

Supporters keeping an eye on the in that decade namely Carbury, Athy, action from St Conleth’s Park today Raheens, Ellistown, Sarsfields, Curragh for this crucial Division 2 clash between and . The clashes between the Kildare and Cavan may have heard their Curragh and Sarsfields and Ardclough forefathers recall great encounters during that decade were the highpoints between the counties in the late 1920s of Kildare club football with attendances and ’30s. In that era during an eight-year at county finals smashing all previous period the teams met in two All-Ireland records. John Joe captained the Curragh finals. In 1928, Kildare, led by their to their only Kildare championship in legendary captain Bill ‘Squires’ Gannon, 1948. In addition to playing with the defeated Cavan by a point to win their Curragh John Joe never refused to assist fourth All-Ireland title. This was the first a club team whenever he was asked, year that was presented and he coached Kilcullen, Moorefield, to the All-Ireland winners. Cavan had to and Ballymore Eustace etc. at different wait until 1935 to get revenge when they times. He was also a noted referee and defeated Kildare by four points to win he officiated regularly for Kildare county their second title. board whenever he was available, and he John Joe also made a significant took charge of the 1950 county final. contribution to the GAA in Kildare. He was the mainstay and captain of New Book Coming Soon the great Curragh team of the 1940s. The links between both counties was These were great years for Kildare club further forged during the 1940s and early football with seven different teams ’50s by the presence of the great John winning the Kildare senior championship Joe O’Reilly in Kildare. Few in Kildare

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020

know much about John Joe’s early life in Cavan and few in Cavan know much about John Joe’s career in Kildare. Now, thanks to a forthcoming publication, The Gallant John Joe, Cavan’s Millennium Man, we get an extensive biography of the great man’s life and his many achievements. The author has gone to considerable detail, interviewing many of the surviving players in Cavan, Kildare and elsewhere to get an extensive picture of the man. The biography covers his childhood days, his school days, his years in St Patrick’s College and his early football days in Cornafean and Cavan. It records in detail his many successes on the field of an important decade in our country’s play including his county championships history and John Joe played a key role in with his club Cornafean, 11 Ulster the Curragh during the Emergency and championship medals with Cavan and four post war era when strong leadership was Railway Cups with Ulster. The highlight needed. of his career was captaining the Cavan Above all else John Joe was a family team to a unique All-Ireland victory over man and he lived in the Curragh with his Kerry in the Polo Grounds, New York wife Olive and their four young children. in 1947 and again in 1948 when they They were due to move into their new defeated Mayo. The book is laced with lore house on the outskirts of at the end and anecdotes about great victories and of 1952. But this wasn’t to be. John Joe’s agonising defeats all set in the historical sudden death on November 22, 1952 at and social context of the time. It includes 34 years of age numbed his family, his a fine collection of photographs, many playing colleagues, and his many friends previously unpublished. in both counties and nationwide. He is The book also chronicles John Joe’s best remembered as a great leader, a life in his adopted county of Kildare. On sportsman supreme and above all else a October 29, 1937 he began his life in gentleman. the army when he entered the Cadet This book should be of great interest School at the Curragh Military Camp. to people in both counties and far He soon gained rapid promotion. He was beyond. It is published by Ballpoint commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Press and will go on general sale after 1939, promoted to Captain in 1942 and the launch dates which have yet to be Commandant in 1945. The 1940s was announced. George Cartwright (author)

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Player Profile Chris conroy

Name: Chris Conroy Age: 28 Height: 5’ 11’’ Occupation: Games Promotion Officer Club: Lavey GAA Position: Forward/Defender GAA Honours (Club & County): 2 Ulster U21 Championships, 2 Leinster Junior Championships, Junior All-Ireland, Club Intermediate Championship, 2 U21 Division 1 Championships Favourite Club Player: Conor Martin Favourite County Player: P. Faulkner What age were you when you started Best grounds you have ever played in: play Gaelic football: 5 or 6 New Inns Lavey Someone who has had an influence on What do you most enjoy about been your career: Dad, Family and Underage part of the GAA: Being with your Coaches friends Three words to describe yourself as a Best advice someone has given player: Calm, Patient, Kicking you: Play your game and do what your Favourite Sportsperson and why: good at Paul Scholes for his passing How do you prepare for games: Try to Who is the best player you played with: relax and enjoy the experience Gerry Smith What advice have you for the young Best player you played against: players in the county: Enjoy the game Jason McLoughlin and enjoy playing with your mates while Most memorable GAA sporting you can moment: Ulster U21 Championship Expectations for the team for 2020: 2013 A step further with club and county

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020 league fixtures Allianz Football League Division 2 Round 1 Kildare 2-12 Fermanagh 0-14 Round 2 Kildare 0-10 Clare 0-11 Round 3 Kildare 0-10 Armagh 0-16 Round 4 Kildare 0-13 Roscommon 2-11 Round 5 Kildare 0-15 Laois 0-10

Remaining Allianz Football League Fixtures: Round 7 Kildare v Westmeath Saturday 24th October, 2pm Venue: St. Conleth’s Park

Dates for your Diary

Christy Ring Cup Leinster Senior Football Electric Ireland ROUND 1 Championship Leinster Minor Football Kildare v Offaly QUARTER-FINAL Championship Saturday 24th October, Kildare v Carlow/Offaly QUARTER-FINAL 1.30pm Sunday 8th November, Kildare v Wexford/ Venue: Bord Na Mona 5.30pm Louth O’Connor Park Venue: MW Hire Wednesday 28th O’Moore Park, October Portlaoise (Venue/Time TBC)

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020 CILL DARA 1 Mark Donnellan Marcus Ó Donalláin Maigh Nuad

2 3 4 Shea Ryan Mick O’Grady Eoin Doyle Shea Ó Riain Mícheál Ó Gráda Eoin Ó Dúghaill Na Sairsealaigh Cill Droichid Nás na Ríogh

5 6 7 David Hyland Con Kavanagh Kevin Flynn Daithí O hAolaín Conn Caomhánach Caoimhín Ó Floinn Ath í Na Sairsealaigh Cill Droichid

8 9 Kevin Feely Aaron Masterson Caoimhín Ó Ficheallaigh Aaron mac an Mhaistir Ath í Acadha Mórdha

10 11 12 Paul Cribben Paddy Brophy Liam Power Pól Mac Róibín Pádraig Ó Bróithe Liam De Paor Droichead Baile Sheain Cill Droichid Na Raithiní

13 14 15 Ben McCormack Darragh Kirwan Jimmy Hyland Beircheart MacCormaic Darragh Ó Ciarubháin Seamus Ó hAoláin Na Sairsealaigh Nás na Riogh Baile Thaigh

16 James Robinson, Séamus Mac Róibín, Na Cloigthithe FIR IONAID 17 Mark Dempsey, Marcas Ó Diomasaigh, Acadha Mórdha 18 Darragh Malone, Dara Ó Maoileoin, Fiodh Aluaine 19 Keith Cribbin, Ceitheach Mac Róibín, Droichead Baile Sheain 20 Tommy Moolick, Tomás Moolick, Léim an Bhradáin Bainisteoir: 21 Luke Flynn, Lúcas Ó Floinn, Droichead Baile Sheain Jack O’Connor 22 Fergal Conway, Fearghal Coinmheadh, Cill Droichid Maor Fóirne / 23 Eanna O’Connor, Éanna Ó Conchuir, Acadha Mórdha Roghnóir: 24 Neil Flynn, Neil Ó Floinn, Maigh Nuad Ross Glavin, 25 Conor Hartley, Conchubhar Ó hArtaile, Na Sairsealaigh Bryan Murphy, 26 Daragh Ryan, Dara Ó Riain, Na Sairsealaigh Tom Cribbin

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020 AN CABHÁN 1 Raymond Galligan Réamonn Ó Gealagáin Leacain

2 3 4 Jason McLoughlin Killian Brady Killian Clarke Iasón Mac Lochlainn Cillian Ó Brádaigh Cillian Ó Cléirigh Gaeil Na Sionainne Mullach Odhrain Searcóg

5 6 7 Gerard Smith Chris Conroy Ciaran Brady Gearóid Mac Gabhann Críostóir Ó Conraoi Ciarán Ó Brádaigh An Leamhaí An Leamhaí Ármhach

8 9 Gearoid McKiernan Padraig Faulkner Gearóid Mac Thiarnáin Padraig Ó Fachtna Gaeil an Chabháin Dún a Rí

10 11 12 Oisin Kiernan Martin Reilly Oisin Brady Oisín Mac Thiarnáin Máirtín Ó Raghallaigh Oisín Ó Brádaigh Caisleán Reathain Coill an Gharraí Coill an Gharraí

13 14 15 Conor Smith Conor Madden Evan Doughty Conchúr Mac Gabhann Conchúr Ó Madáin Evan Ó Dabhtaigh Coill an Gharraí Loch Gamhna Cuchulainn

16 , Liam Brady, Liam Ó Brádaigh, Ramor Aontaithe FIR IONAID 17, Cormac O’ Reilly, Cormac Ó Raghallaigh, Mullach Odhrain 18, Caoimhan McGovern, Caomhán Mag Shamhráin, Gaeil Na Sionainne 19, Niall Murray, Néil Ó Muirí, Gaeil an Chabháin 20, Paul Graham, Pól Ó Gréacháin, Gaeil an Chabháin Bainisteoir: 21, Cian Reilly, Cian Ó Raghallaigh, Coill an Gharraí Mickey Graham 22, Finbar McAvinue, Fionnbharr Mac Dhuibhne, Ármhach Maor Fóirne / 23, Bryan Magee, Brian Mag Aoidh, Cuchulainn Roghnóir: 24, Cormac Timoney, Cormac Ó Tiománaí, Béal Átha na nEach Dermot McCabe 25, Danny Cusack, Dónall Ó Cíosóg, An Leamhaí Martin Corey 26, Ryan Connolly, Rian Ó Conghaile, Droim Leathan John Denning

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KILDARE GAA ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUES 2020

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