WHITE NOISE

Flanagan believes Tailteann triumph can only be start for Kildare

- BY PAUL KEANE

BOSS Brian Flanagan has promised Kildare supporters that their Tailteann Cup success is 'purely the beginning' of something special.

The Lilywhites held off Limerick at the end of a Croke Park thriller yesterday to win their first piece of significant silverware since 2012 - and a place in the 2026 All-Ireland SFC race.

Darragh Kirwan fired eight points and walked away with the Man of the Match award.

Alex Beirne had a big game too with 1-2 while sub Brian McLoughlin had the same sort of impact as he did in the semifinal, blasting three crucial points.

There were big displays as well from captain Kevin Feely and Ryan Sinkey as Kildare finally won a trophy at Croke Park.

They were beaten there in the Division 3 final earlier this year and had won just eight of their 28 Championship games at Croker since the 2010 All-Ireland semifinal.

Things bottomed out for Kildare under former boss Glenn Ryan but Flanagan has picked up the pieces impressively - guiding Kildare back to Division 2 as well as the Sam Maguire Cup race.

There were a few nervous moments late on as Limerick got the gap down to three points and chased a goal to force extra-time.