Kildare turn on the style in Kehoe Cup

While acknowledging that Kildare are more advanced that Carlow in regards to early season preparation, Kildare hurling manager David Herity nevertheless did not hide his pleasure at the display of his side in the opening game of the 2023 Kehoe Cup at Hawkfield on Thursday evening.

"The display is testament to the work that has gone on both individually and collectively by the squad, physically and fitness wise very happy with the players, the group has put in a massive effort and it is very important that we get that momentum going for what will be a massive year for us, very competitive season with the Kehoe Cup, the League and then straight into the Joe McDonagh Cup.

While Carlow led 0-3 to 0-1 after three minutes Kildare took the lead with a David Qualter goal on 20 and never looked back after that. Mark Delaney got Kildare's second goal on 28 and the home side, playing in Hawkfield, led at the break 2-8 to 0-7 at the break.

Kildare totally dominated the second half, adding another goal from Cian Boran, set up by David Qualter.

Carlow were held scoreless for over 20 minutes of the second half as The Lilies dominated all over the field with some very impressive displays especially from the Boran boys, Cathal McCabe, David Qualter while late substitutes James Burke and Brian Byrne also added positivity to the display.

Scorers: Kildare, David Qualter 1-5 (5 frees), Cian Boran 1-1, Mark Delaney 1-1, Cathal McCabe 0-2, Brian Byrne 0-2, James Burke 0-3 (1 free), Killian Aherne 0-1, Cian Shanahan 0-1, Paul Dolan 0-1, Gerry Keegan 0-1, Jack Travers 0-1,Carlow, Ciaran Whelan 0-4 (2 frees), James Doyle 0-3, Richard Coady 0-2, Paddy Boland 0-1, Scott Treacy 0-1,

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna: Niall Ó Muineacháin; Sean Christanseen Cormac Byrne; Simon Leacy Conon Boran Cian Shanahan; Paul Dolan Cathal McCabe; David Qualter Gerry Keegan Johnny Byrne; Cian Boran Mark Delaney Killian Aherne. Subs: Brian Byrne for Mark Delaney (44 minutes); James Burke for Cian Boran (46 minutes); Jack Travers for Gerry Keegan (51 minutes); Rian Byrne for Sean Christanseen (53 minutes); Harry Carroll for Conan Boran (59 minutes); Declan Flaherty for Killian Aherne (59 minutes).

CARLOW: Brian Treacy; Niall Bolger, Conor Lawlor, Gary Lawlor; JP Tracey, Diarmuid Byrne, Paudie O'Shea; Richard Coady, James Doyle; Paddy Boland, Ciaran Whelan, Jon Nolan; Fiach O'Toole, Jack Treacy, Scoett Treacy. Subs: Conor Kehoe for Paddy Boland (30 minutes); Jack McCullagh for JP Treacy (half time); Paul Doyle for Gary Lawlor (42 minutes); Ciaran Kavanagh for Jack Treacy (42 minutes); John Doyle for Jon Nolan (47 minutes); Kevin McDonald for Richard Coady (49 minutes); Jake Doyle for Scott Treacy (58 minutes).

REFEREE: Brendan Heaney, Westmeath.