Kildare GAA criticised over IHC final scheduling

Manguard Plus Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence in Hawkfield. ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Kildare GAA has been accused of paying lip service to hurling after rescheduling their IHC final for Sunday at 11am in Hawkfield (Manguard Park).

The decider between Leixlip and Naas’ second team was originally fixed for Cedral St Conleth’s Park last Saturday at 4pm, but was then switched to the later time of 6pm in Hawkfield. However, Storm Boelo won out in the end and it has been given a new Sunday morning slot in Manguard Park which has been widely criticised.

Naas are chasing a SHC and IHC double after easing past Maynooth last Sunday to be crowned senior champions for the eighth year in-a-row.

Respect for players and the game of hurling? Non existent here and symptomatic of how the small ball game will always be the poor relation in such counties as Kildare.

— Declan Drake (@dubdec) October 26, 2026