Kildare far too strong as debutants impress

Kildare 1-13 Carlow IT 0-7:Manager Kieran McGeeney would have preferred his side to have scored more Kildare, however, were much too strong for Carlow IT in this opening Group D game in Newbridge yesterday.

The hosts fielded a very strong line-up but there were some notable selections, with Mikey Conway doing well at centre-back – aided by a screen provided by Brian Flanagan, Morgan O’Flaherty and the excellent Gary White.

Up front, newcomers Cathal McNally and Paddy Brophy earned the manager’s plaudits, with the former scoring two points.

Brophy, who was captain of last year’s minors, entered the fray at half-time and showed a tremendous appetite too.

The difference between the sides was stark, as the students struggled to cope with their opponents’ physical strength and turned the ball over regularly in the tackle as a result.

Kildare led by 0-7 to 0-2 at half-time, with McNally and Ronan Sweeney getting them off to a nice start and Ollie Lyons, Mikey Conway and Tomás O’Connor augmenting their efforts.

Rob Kelly goaled in the 52nd minute and it was plain sailing from there.

Ben Brosnan, Jamie Farrell and the eye-catching Forde responded for Seán Dempsey’s crew but Kildare were comfortable.

Brophy, Conway, Pádraig O’Neill, Brian Flanagan and McNally kept the scoreboard ticking over as the tie drifted towards an inevitable result.

KILDARE: S Connolly; O Lyons (0-1), M Foley, H McGrillen; E Bolton, M Conway (0-3), E Doyle; G White, P O'Neill (0-1); B Flanagan (0-1), C McNally (0-2), M O'Flaherty; R Kelly (1-0), T O'Connor (0-1), R Sweeney (0-3, two frees). Subs: P Brophy (0-1) for O'Connor, P Kelly for Bolton (both h-t), W Groome for Doyle (49 mins), P Fogarty for Sweeney (51 mins), J Eaton for R Kelly (59 mins).

CARLOW IT:S McNamara; J Kinahan, C Lawlor; A Nolan; A Forde (0-2), B Kinahan, E Walsh; R Downey, C Boyle; S Gannon, F Conway (0-1), D Hayden; M Mangan, B Hurley, B Brosnan (0-3, frees). Subs: P Crowley for J Kinahan (38 mins), J Doyle for Mangan (46 mins), J Farrell (0-1) for Gannon (62 mins).

Referee: D Gough (Meath).