Sport

Kildare turn on power as Ryan apologises

NFL DIVISION TWO: Kildare 2-16 Wexford 0-8: KILDARE MADE short work of a struggling Wexford in Newbridge yesterday

Mon Mar 09 2009 - 00:00

NFL DIVISION TWO: Kildare 2-16 Wexford 0-8:KILDARE MADE short work of a struggling Wexford in Newbridge yesterday. Goals from Alan Smith and the brilliant Eamonn Callaghan at the end of each half, allied with 10 points from John Doyle and another great display at centre forward by Pádraig O'Neill, ensured a comfortable day for Kildare boss Kieran McGeeney.

“They were much better than us,” the Wexford boss Jason Ryan conceded. “That wasn’t good enough and I apologise to the Wexford supporters.”

Kildare started brightly with two spectacular points from Doyle and O’Neill book-ending a Doyle free. Wexford reduced the deficit to the minimum with scores from Shane Cullen and Collie Byrne, but they didn’t register their third point until the 29th minute, when Cullen converted a free.

At that stage they were only three points behind, but Kildare put on the after-burners in the closing minutes of the half, stretching their lead by a goal and four points. James Kavanagh’s effort from the left touchline was the pick of the points, but Alan Smith’s goal in injury-time was a mortal blow for Wexford.

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Wexford had a minor flurry after the resumption that yielded points from Cullen (free), Paddy Colfer and Ciarán Lyng but a couple of frees from Doyle dispelled thoughts of a comeback.

Even after Darryl Flynn’s 51st minute sending off – a straight red on the intervention of the linesman after he stamped on Eric Bradley’s arm – a directionless Wexford couldn’t profit.

With three minutes remaining Callaghan fisted Michael Conway’s free to the roof of the Wexford net.

KILDARE: S McCormack; H McGrillen, K O’Neill, D Brennan; M Foley, B Flanagan, M Conway; D Flynn, D Earley; E Callaghan (1-2), P O’Neill (0-3), J Kavanagh (0-1); A Smith (1-0), R Sweeney, J Doyle (0-10, seven frees). Subs: A Mac Lochlainn for D Brennan (20 mins); M O’Flaherty for Flanagan (23 mins); K Brennan for Smith (53 mins); B Flanagan for K O’Neill yellow card (54 mins). K Donnelly for Kavanagh (60 mins)

WEXFORD: A Masterson; D Walsh, P Wallace, B Malone; C Morris, A Doyle, D Carter; E Bradley, D Fogarty; A Flynn, P Colfer (0-2, one free), C Byrne (0-1); C Lyng (0-2), S Cullen (0-3, two frees), PJ Banville. Subs: J Murphy for Banville yellow card (25 mins), P Wallace (69). D Kinsella for Flynn (47 mins); D Foran for Murphy (47 mins); C Deely for Fogarty (59 mins); G Molloy for Byrne (59 mins); N Murphy for Morris (66 mins).

Referee: C Reilly (Meath).