Superb second-half sees Kildare triumph over Laois to first Joe McDonagh Cup crown

Kildare landed their first ever Joe McDonagh Cup title thanks to a 2-26 to 1-19 win against Laois at Croke Park this afternoon.

Brian Dowling’s side earned promotion to next year’s Leinster senior hurling championship with a dominant second-half display at headquarters against their neighbours.

Laois led at the end of an airtight opening half thanks to the points of Mossy Keyes (3) and James Keyes that saw them coming from three points behind to go by 0-11 to 0-10 just before half-time.

The Lilywhites ⚪️⚪️ are Joe McDonagh Cup Champs 🏆@KildareGAA 2-26@CLGLaois 1-19

Watch the highlights here 🎥 #KILVLAO pic.twitter.com/dcGUkcXwMA

— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 8, 2025

The O’Moore men would then make a dream start to the second-half which saw Ben Conroy getting in for their goal in the opening minute of the resumption.

The Lilywhites responded brilliantly as points via David Qualter and Jack Sheridan brought them level by the 43rd minute and they’d go on to building a three-point lead prior to Jack Travers hammering in their first goal on the hour mark.

Qualter (free) pushed the lead out to seven and a goal from Sheridan killed off any hopes of a comeback for Laois who lost out on this stage for the second year-in-a-row.

Winners of the Christy Ring Cup last year, Dowling’s men continue their remarkable rise and now look forward to an All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final date with Dublin next weekend, with Laois set to meet Tipperary at the same stage of the Liam McCarthy Cup race on the same weekend.

Kildare are 2025 Joe McDonagh Cup Champions! What a day to be a Lilywhite.

Cill Dara Abú! pic.twitter.com/ZAzuCzL7qp

— Kildare GAA (@KildareGAA) June 8, 2025