Below par Kildare just do enough to earn win

Leinster champions Kildare, were considerably below their best while Carlow played above themselves in this meeting of county neighbours in the Division 2B at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, on Saturday.

A sodden pitch militated against good football and the standard was never very high. But the close nature of the scores meant that the 1,400 spectators got good value for money as the home county put up a commendable showing.

Kildare always looked likely winners in that they made much better use of possession and had far greater options in attack.

Carlow led once when veteran dual star Johnny Nevin kicked a superb point from play after three minutes. Within a minute, Kildare's top scorer, John Doyle, had levelled from a free. After Kildare stormed into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead Carlow hit back with three points from play to level the match. By half-time the Lilywhites led 0-5 to 0-4 and in the opening 15 minutes of the second-half kicked four unanswered points.

Carlow, to their credit, kept coming back and second half points from Johnny Kavanagh, a pile-driver from Willie Quinlan, and another from Sean Kavanagh (free) had them within a single score of the Leinster champions.

But Kildare midfielder, Dermot Earley, who had a fine game all through, ensured a Kildare victory when his scorching drive struck the crossbar and went over for a point.

Mick O'Dwyer introduced three late substitutes as Kildare tired to ensure that they recorded their second brace of National League points.

KILDARE: C Byrne; B Lacey, R Quinn, J Bracken; K Duane, G Ryan, A Rainbow (0-1); K Brennan (0-1), Dermot Earley (0-1); P Murray (0-1), J Doyle (0-4), Michael Ryan (0-2); P Brennan (0-1), David Earley, T Fennin. Subs: Martin Ryan for G Ryan; K Doyle for P Brennan; J Gilroy for Michael Ryan; K O'Dwyer for David Earley.

CARLOW: P McGrath; C Kelly, B Farrell, V Fleming; S O'Brien, J Byrne (0-1), M Drea; J McGrath, S Kavanagh (0-1); P Nolan (0-1), W Quinlan (0- 1), J Kavanagh (0-1); E McGarry (0-1), N Nevin (0-1), C McDonald. Subs: J Hughes for Nolan; D Donoghue for McDonald.

Referee: E Stenson (Leitrim).