Kildare take early advantage

Kildare Count y 4 Glebe North 0: Glebe North's giant-killing aspirations were all but over after just seven minutes at Station…

Kildare Count y 4 Glebe North 0: Glebe North's giant-killing aspirations were all but over after just seven minutes at Station Road on Saturday evening as they found themselves already two goals down.

Both goals were scored by Barry O'Connor as Kildare punished some rusty defending. O'Connor would go on to complete his hat-trick in the second half.

With the National League sides in mid-season, the timing of the competition means that the non-league sides are clearly not match fit and at a distinct disadvantage.

"Realistically, the FAI could bring the early rounds forward in the calendar, towards the end of our season," suggested non-league Glebe North's manager Paul Ussher.

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"The days of shocks in the FAI Cup are gone unless the FAI do something about it."

The opener was simplicity itself as O'Connor was left unmarked at the back post to plant a free header from Ger O'Brien's corner to the net.

Scarcely had Glebe drawn breath when they found themselves two down. Shay Zeller picked out Alan Kelly whose header was pushed onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Gary Lester and O'Connor forced home the rebound.

Darren McKenna ended the game as a contest in the 56th minutes later when he headed home at the back post after great work by substitute James Igwilo.

O'Connor then completed his hat-trick two minutes later when heading in the rebound after Ger O'Brien's shot came off the legs of Lester.

KILDARE: O'Leary; G O'Brien, Byrne, Kenny, K O'Brien; Zeller, O'Connor, Griffin, Kelly (Jordan, half-time); McKenna, Reilly (Igwilo, half-time).

GLEBE NORTH: Lester; McCabe (Robertson, 77 mins), G Boylan, Byrne, Dunne; Richardson, Campbell (Crowley, 63 mins), Healy (Ennis, 26 mins), Costello; Dixon, Arkins.

Referee: D Tomney (Dublin).