Heartbreak for Wicklow as 13-man Kildare escape to victory with last play

Kildare were leading the three points when Wicklow were awarded an injury time penalty. 

Jack Sargent of Kildare celebrates after scoring the winning point against Wicklow. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Leinster SFC quarter-final: Kildare 0-16 Wicklow 1-12

Never boring. In the end, a relieved Kildare gathered in the middle of the field to take a well-earned breath after their first win of 2024. An enthralling final five minutes nearly saw them stunned in O’Moore Park.

They saw three-point lead eradicated in extra time as Eoin Doyle was turned over in his own half and Wicklow broke for goal. Eventually, the centre-back dragged down Kevin Quinn for a penalty and black card. It meant they would finish with 13 men after enduring a first-half red. Substitute Oisin McGraynor stuck the subsequent spot-kick.

It almost went from bad to worse. As they went in search of a winner, Kildare were pounced upon once again and Mark Donnellan was caught off his line. Matt Nolan went for a goal from range when a worked point would have done just fine. His shot bounced wide. The Lilywhites survived as Jack Sargent had the final say with a fisted effort.

Much of the opening half hour went to script for Glenn Ryan's side. They started brightly through the dependable Kevin Feely who clipped a point and two frees. Wicklow were playing against a stiff breeze and struggled initially on their long kickout, losing four of their first five.

Oisín McConville’s side bounced into Laois Hire O'Moore Park off the back of a terrific victory over Westmeath last weekend. Their last win against Kildare was a surreal 2008 encounter under Mick O’Dwyer. Here they came with a plan to deliver another almighty achievement.

Kildare's Brian Byrne celebrates. Picture: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

At the other end, they conceded Kildare’s kickout entirely, except after free-kicks. Their first scores showed precisely how they wanted that period to go. Kevin Quinn notched an early free, Wicklow pressed, Mark Donnellan’s long kick was broken and Christopher O’Brien finished the move with a point.

From turnovers, they did manage to cut through on several occasions. Patrick O’Keane powered down the middle, Tom Moran did similar but his shot dropped short, Dean Healy’s first point came after a feeble tackle attempt by Alex Beirne. At that point Kildare had found themselves in an all-too-familiar position; under severe pressure.

They were three points up when Kevin Flynn jumped mindlessly into an attempted shoulder challenge. His raised elbow caught O’Keane high and the red card was immediate. Mick O’Grady was already gone due to injury. Feely had to leave the field twice to deal with a facial issue. At the turnaround, they led 0-9 to 0-7 yet the possibility of a shock was starting to arise in Portlaoise.

By the time Wicklow scored again through Moran, Kildare were four clear with Woodgate, Feely and a sublime Kelly curler settling them again. That buffer proved feeble.

Healy surged and dragged his team back into it. It was his pass that sent John Paul Nolan away. The stalwart landed a corker soon after. Gearoid Murphy turned the screw as his effort cut the gap to two. They played their part in a thrilling conclusion but came up just short.

Scorers for Kildare: Kevin Feely 0-7 (5 frees), Niall Kelly 0-3, Darragh Kirwan 0-2, Paddy Woodgate 0-2 (1 free), Aaron Masterson 0-1, Jack Sargent 0-1.

Scorers for Wicklow: Oisin McGraynor 1-1 (1 free, 1 penalty), Chris O’Brien 0-2, Kevin Quinn 0-2 free, Dean Healy 0-2, Patrick O’Keane 0-1, Tom Moran 0-1, Darragh Fee 0-1, John Paul Nolan 0-1, Gearoid Murphy 0-1.

Kildare: M Donnellan; R Burke, M O’Grady, S Ryan; J Sargent, E Doyle, P McDermott; A Masterson, K Flynn; A Beirne, N Kelly, S Farrell; K Feely, D Kirwan, D Flynn.

Subs: B Byrne for O’Grady (24 – inj) P Woodgate for Feely (28-31, temp), Woodgate for Feely (35-37, temp), Woodgate for D Flynn (35), T Archbold for McDermott (62), H O’Neill for Byrne (64 – inj), S O’Sullivan for Farrell (70), R Houlihan for Ryan (70-73 temp).

Red card: Kevin Flynn (30).

Wicklow: S Doyle; T Moran, M Stone, C McDonald; M Nolan, P O’Keane, G Fogarty; D Healy, C Maguire; D Fee,J Kirwan, C O’Brien; J Nolan, K Quinn, J Carlin.

Subs: J Prendergast for O’Keane (31-33, temp), G Murphy for Carlin (33), O McGraynor for Maguire (62), Prendergast for O’Keane (92-64 – temp), Prendergast for Kirwan (70).

Referee: S Lonergan (Tipperary)