Carlow 1-18 Kildare 1-9
Marty Kavanagh hit 1-7 for Carlow as they opened their league account with a comfortable nine-point victory against Kildare in Newbridge.
Minus their Mount Leinster Rangers contingent, John Meyler’s Carlow side struggled in the opening half although they did take an 8-5 lead at half-time against a Kildare team that failed to score from play.
Kavanagh scored four of Carlow’s first half points to help them ahead while Kildare’s five points came from five Gerry Keegan frees.
Top scorer Kavanagh added 1-3 for his side in the second half as Carlow took complete control.
They were eight points clear by the 50th minute, having outscored Kildare 6-1 although the Lilies grabbed a lifeline when Paul Divilly flicked home a well-worked goal.
That wasn’t enough to derail Carlow as they took over again before the finish, adding a further 1-4.
Kavanagh netted their goal three minutes from the end to complete an easy win.
CARLOW:
B Treacy; C McCabe, M Ryan, A Corcoran; P Nolan,
D English (0-1 free)
, M Doyle;
P Kehoe (0-2), C Wall (0-2); S Murphy (0-3),
M Brennan,
M Kavanagh (1-7, 0-3fs);
A Gaule (0-2)
, J Kane, John Doyle.
Subs: James Doyle (0-1)
for John Doyle (h-t).
KILDARE:
P Dermody; P Curtin, J Doran, N Ó Muineacháin; J O'Malley, M Moloney, R Hoban; E O'Neill, P Kennedy;
P Divilly (1-2, 0-2fs),
M Fitzgerald, W Greene;
G Keegan (0-6 , 5fs),
P Downey, M Delaney. Subs:
P Fitzgerald (0-1)
for Greene (h-t); D Harney for Downey (45 mins); B White for O'Neill (45 mins); T Finnerty for O'Malley (52mins); M Purcell for Hoban (63 mins).
Referee:
J Heffernan (Wexford)
