Ruth Sargent primed for Kilmacud clash in Leinster decider

When Eadestown's Ruth Sargent made her Kildare senior debut in a Lidl NFL Division 3 game against Down at St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge on January 22, 2023, she became the latest member of her family to represent the Lilywhites in the adult ranks of inter-county football.

In addition to her father Sean lining out in goal for the county in the 1980s and the early part of the following decade, Ruth’s mother Barbara was the first-ever captain of the Kildare ladies football team when they entered competitive action in 1993.

Twelve months before Ruth made a breakthrough onto her own Lilies panel, her brother Jack also made his competitive bow as a Kildare senior footballer in a league opener against Kerry in Newbridge. The latter might well be joined by another member of the Sargent clan in future years as younger sibling Daniel was player of the match when the Kildare U16s captured the Gerry Reilly Cup earlier this year.

"My mum Barbara, she has actually been my coach since U6s in the club and she’s part of our management with the Eadestown ladies as well. She has been my coach the whole way up, so I wouldn’t really know football without her. I can’t leave the house without getting advice off Mum and Dad, which is great because they’ve been through it," acknowledged Sargent, whose sister Emma has also donned the Kildare jersey in the past.

"It runs in the family, which is nice. We have a competitive environment, but I like that. Jack would have joined Kildare and in his first year probably wouldn’t have been starting. He was coming on, but it was great to see over the years how he is very committed to it. Then getting his starting position in last year and having a great year playing with Kildare.

"He is enjoying it, which is nice