Louth shock Kildare in O'Byrne Cup

Mickey Harte's Louth shocked Kildare in Round 2 of the O'Byrne Cup at St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, this afternoon, winning on a final score line of Louth 0-14 Kildare 1-10.

Kildare dominated early on firing over the opening four points of the game. However Louth came more into the game as Kildlare went into full blown defensive mode and by half-time the visitors led 0-8 to 0-5.

Kildare made a few half-time substitutions that brought them more into the game and while they reduced the lead to just one on 37 minutes Louth hit back to stretcdh the lead to three.

Kildare were unfortunate not to find the net but Barry Coffey's effort hit the bottom of the post and was cleared.

Louth added two points before Kildare full back Michael Joyce gave them a lifeline with a goal from close in that left two in it on 55 minutes.

Louth responded well but again Kildare reduced the gap to a single point but that was as good as it got for the home side as the final whistle arrived Louth taking the honours on a final score line of Louth 0-14 Kildare 1-10.

Scorers: Kildare, Michael Joyce 1-0, Aaron O'Neill 0-2 (2 frees), Cein McMonagle 0-2, Jimmy Hyland 0-2 (2 frees), Jack Robinson 0-2, Darragh Kirwan 0-1, Paul Cribbin 0-1.

Louth, Sam Mulroy 0-4 (4 frees), Daire McConnor 0-2, Jay Hughes 0-2 (1 45), Conor Grimes 0-1, Paul Matthews 0-1, Ciaran Murphy 0-1, Leonard Grey 0-1, Ciaran Byrne 0-1, Shane Matthews 0-1,

KILDARE: Aaron O'Neill; Mick O'Grady, Michael Joyce, Darragh Malone; Tony Archbold, Ronan Fitzsimons, Matthew Kelly; Brendan Gibbons, Alex Beirne; Paul Cribbin, Barry Coffey, Cein McMonagle; Jimmy Hyland, Darragh Kirwan, Paddy Woodgate. Subs: Neil Flynn for Barry Coffey (51 minutes); Rian Teehan for Cein McMonagle (56 minutes).

LOUTH: Declan Byrne; Dan Corcoran, Peter Lynch, Alan Connor; Leonard Grey, Ciaran Murphy, Conall McKeever; Conor Early, Ciaran Byrne; Paul Mathews, Conal McCaul, Shane Matthews; Daire McConnon, Sam Mulroy, Conor Grimes. Subs: Jonathan Commins for Conal McCaul (51 minutes); Jay Hughes for Sam Mulroy (51 minuts); Peter McStravick for Daire McConnor (51 minutes); Gerard Browne for Alan Connor (55 minutes); Tom Gray for Shane Matthews (55 minutes).

REFEREE: Andrew Smith, Meath.