FAI CUP THIRD ROUND Kildare County 3 Fanad United 0:A HAT-TRICK from on-loan Shamrock Rovers striker Ciarán Kilduff ensured a smooth passage for Kildare County as they recorded their first cup win of any kind since June 2005 at Station Road last night.
Kilduff's finishing was the difference between the sides in a game which was closer than the scoreline might suggest.
He opened the scoring after 17 minutes when he latched onto John Broderick's flick and lobbed over Mark Anthony McGinley.
Willie Tyrell had the ball in the net for the home side just before half-time but he saw his goal ruled out for a push on a Fanad defender.
Fanad weren't without their chances and they blew a glorious opportunity to equalise when PJ Hagan slid the ball wide after he had been put through by Paddy McGrenaghan.
Any nerves Kildare may have had as the game moved into the final stages were dismissed as Kilduff completed his hat-trick with two neat finishes inside the final 15 minutes.
KILDARE COUNTY:O'Neill; Clarke, Tyrell, Roche, Clancy; Brady, Kavanagh (Morgan 87), Fortune, Slattery (Isaaka 80); Kilduff, Broderick (Robinson 55).
FANAD UTD:McGinley; Friel, Doherty, Lynch (McElwain 85), Sweeney; P Patton (Sheridan 66), McGrenaghan, Nash, D Patton (McLaughlin 80); McNulty, Hagan.
Referee:Sean Grant (Wexford).
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