O'Neill goal helps steer Kildare past Dubs to O'Byrne Cup final

January 10, 2026

Kildare's Niall Dolan and Cillian Dunne of Dublin ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Kildare will play Westmeath in the O’Byrne Cup final next Friday night after defeating Dublin by 1-22 to 1-13 at Cedral St Conleth’s Park this evening.

The Lilywhites came good in the second-half against their capital counterparts who saw Jimmy McCarville’s goal in the run up to the break being the difference between the sides when they went in (1-8 to 0-8).

Brian Flanagan’s men got level within 10 minutes of the resumption thanks to an Alex Beirne free from beyond the arc being backed up by Brian McLoughlin’s point.

Darragh Swords shot the hosts in front in the 41st minute and they wouldn’t look back once Harry O’Neill hit the Dubs’ net two minutes later (watch below).

James Harris, Eoin Cully and Sam Doran raised white flags to maintain Kildare’s four-point advantage heading down the home stretch, with Dylan Kettle registering the last score for Ger Brennan’s men on 49 minutes.

At the other end, Harris, Cully and Swords added points for Kildare ahead of Aaron Browne rounding off their tally, as they now look forward to a shot at some early silverware for 2026 against the Lake men in six days’ times.


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