Poor Kildare give way to Cavan

Kildare came off second best against Cavan in Kingspan Breffni this afternoon, in the end losing out by three points.

Kildare never really got into this one playing second fiddle for most of the second half

In a game best forgotten, from a Kildare point of view anyway, The Lilies failed to fire never getting out of second gear.

The opening half was a real slow-burner, both teams looking extremely nervous, the sides were level on five occasions, with just a point separating them at any one time.

Darragh Kirwan hit two fine points for Kildare with Calum Bolton, Colm Moran and Brian McLoughlin on target also.

For Cavan the danger man was full forward Patrick Lynch who scored three points, one two-pointer to leave the half-time score reading Cavan 0-5 Kildare 0-5.

Kildare then opened a three point lead but once Cavan took control soon after Kildare struggled to gain possession, going behind by five on 60 minutes and while Ben Loakman did his utmost to drag Kildare back into it with a one-man show in that half, it was Cavan who prevailed, with full forward for the home side Patrickk Lynch the real match winner hitting nine points.

Final score: Cavan 0-16 Kildare 0-13.

READ NEXT: Kildare coach honoured from LGFA’s Female Leadership Programme

Scorers: Cavan, Patrick Lynch 0-9 (1 two-pointer, 1 free, 2 two-pointers), Oisin Brady 0-2, Tiernan Madden 0-1 (1 free), Gerard Smith 0-1, Gearoid McKiernan 0-1, Daraa McVeety 0-1, Ryan Brady 0-1.

Kildare, Ben Loakman 0-5 (1 two-pointer), Darragh Kirwan 0-2, James Harris 0-2, Brian McLoughlin 0-1, Callum Bolton 0-1, Colm Moran 0-2.

KILDARE: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Pauric Spillane, James McGrath ; James Harris, Eoin Lawler, Brian Byrne; Callum Bolton, Brendan Gibbons; Brian McLoughlin, Darragh Kirwan cpt., Colm Moran; Ben Loakman, Darragh Swords, Eoin Cully. Subs: Tommy Gill for Darragh Swords (half-time); Neil Flynn for Eoin Cully (46 minutes); Jack McKevitt for Colm Moran (60 minutes); Caoimhan McGovern for Tiernan Madden (60 minutes); Sam Doran for James McGrath (69 minutes);

CAVAN: Liam Brady; Jason McLoughlin, Paddy Meade, Brian O’Connell; Oisin Brady, Niall Carolan, Gerard Smith; Eoin Clarke, Conor Brady; Ciarán Brady, Tiarnan Madden, Peter Corrigan; Cian Shekleton , Patrick Lynch, Dara McVeety. Subs: Gearoid McKiernan for Niall Carolan (34 minutes); Ryan Brady for Cian Sheleton (54 minutes);

REFEREE: Barry Judge, Sligo.