Kildare go third in Division 2 with nine-point win over Offaly

Kildare added to that precious point they took home from Omagh a week ago with a comprehensive, and impressive, victory over Offaly in Round 2 of the Allianz Football League Division 2 game at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, on Saturday evening.

In front of close to 5,500 fans The Lilies got off to a flying start, led by nine points at the break and while they did have a wobbly period in the second half, settled once again, going on to win by that same nine point margin.

Right from the throw-in Kildare made their intentions clear, gaining possession at the throw-in aong ball was sent in directly to the full forward line where Kevin Feely gained possession, was fouled, Alex Beirne popped over the free and the home side led by a point with just forty seconds on the clock.

Kildare pushed up on the Offaly kick-out and that certainly paid dividends as the visiting custodian was in a quandary and found it difficult to get his kick away.

Before the fourth minute the same keeper was picking the ball out of his net after Brian McLoughlin saw Alex Beirne fetch his long punt in, turn and blasted to the ball to the net.

Offaly had hardly crossed the half-way line and with fans still streaming in Kildare were four points to the good and then went five almost immediately when the impressive Calum Bolton split the posts.

Kildare were penalised for over-carrying, Offaly went on the attack with Dan Molly opening his side's account; Cormac Egan, prominent early on, adding a second, all with just eight minutes on the clock.

Kildare hit three wides before Ben Loakman with two quick-fire points pushed that lead out to 1-4 to 0-2.

Kildare keeper, Cian Burke was in brilliant kicking form, his accuracy and length setting up many a Kildare attack.
Brian McLoughlin shrugged off his marker and bore down on goal only to see his shot find the side netting.

Keith O'Neill gave Offaly a bit of hope with a brilliant twp-pointer, Brian McLoughlin replied with a point before Alex Beirne who was tormenting the Offaly defence throughout, got on the end of a Brian McLoughlin kick pass to make it 1-6 to 0-5 on 23 minutes.

The visitors were caught in breach of the 3x3 rule but Alex Beirne brought the free outside the arc but hit it right and wide.
Jack McEvoy picked up a yellow card for his troubles as Kildare continued to dominate throughout the field.

Brian McLoughlin, Alex Beirne and Callum Bolton stretched the lead to 1-9 to 0-5 with thirty minutes gone.

Keith O'Neill added a point, Brian Byrne found Alex Beirne inside, the Naas man off-loaded to Eoin Cully and the Carbury man blasted to the net.

Lee Pearson picked up a yellow before Offaly were again caught the wrong side of the 3x3 rule but inexplicably Alex Beirne hit the ball wide of the post as Kildare went in at the break leading by nine points — 2-9 to 0-6.

Second half
Eoin Cully opened the second half with a fine point before Offaly enjoyed the best period of the game.
Keith O'Neill hit a long range shot off the upright but half-time substitute, Nathan Poland was on hand to fire over.

Ben Loakman blasted right and wide before Offaly came again through Poland the same player hit a two-
pointer to reduce the lead to six points on 43 minutes.

Callum Bolton put in a mighty shoulder, and while he needed attention for a head knock he resumed before a brilliant Keith O'Neill two-pointer free had the Offaly fans on their feet.

The same player had a 20m free after Kildare failed to release and while the Clonbullogue man decided to take the ball outside the arc he was ordered against that by his management team and duly popped over to leave the lead at just four points — 2-10 to 0-12.

Sam Doran, just one, fired over a great point, Marcas Dalton replied.

Kildare upped their game, regained their composure and their dominance, Brian McLoughlin, another great game from the Clane man, pointed, Brendan Gibbons saw his effort come off the upright.

Back came Offaly gain and this time it was centre-back, Eoin Lawlor, who had an excellent game, make a brilliant intervention.
From that Kildare attacked with pace, Lawlor found Ryan Burke who soloed half the length of the pitch before finding Brian McLoughlin, who split the posts for one of the scores of the evening.

Kildare were now firmly back in control and on sixty minutes put the final nail in the Offaly coffin when attacking Alex Beirne gained possession on the edge of the square into the Kilcullen end, cross to Sam Doran and the Johnstownbridge made no mistake palming the ball to the net from close range to make it 3-13 to 0-13.

Callum Bolton and Harry O'Neill added points, and while Harry Plunkett added a single point and Harry Plunkett a two-pointer it was too little too late.

Darragh Mangan, making his League debut gained possession, off-loaded to James Harris whose blistering shot came off the crossbar but Kevin Feely was hand to punch over the bar.

Brian McLoughlin added a point before Keith O'Neill fired over the final free of the day for the visitors as the hooter arrived with Kildare winning impressively by nine points 3-17 to 0-17.

A great win for The Lilies against a side that defeated them twice last season, although Kildare did get the better of them in the Tailteann Cup.

Three points after two games is more than manager Flanagan could have hoped for as they now take on Derry in two weeks again in Cedral St Conleth's Park in what should be another brilliant occasion.

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