Kildare come up short against Kerry in Joe McDonagh Cup

Kildare fell to their third successive defeat in the Joe McDonagh Cup this afternoon goind down 1-17 to 1-17 to 0-14.

It was a tight game throughout, played in exteremely wet conditions and while Kildare opened with the first score of the game it was Kerry who held the upper hand throughout with their noses always in front from the ninth minute, they led by three at the break, 0-9 to 0-6.

Kildare hit two second half fees from David Qualter to cut the lead back to a point within two minutes of the resumption but Kerry secong half substitutes Jordan Conway (1-2) along with Padraig Boyle (0-5) and free taker Shane Conway (0-5) who ensured them of victory.

Midway through the second half Kerry led by four when a controversial second yellow card for Paul Dolan saw Kildare being reduced to 14; it was a big call, Kildare maintaining he had been substituted before picking up his second yellow.

Paddy McKenna had the lead back to two on 67 minutes but a Kerry goal from Jordan Conway a minute later wrapped up the game for Kerry who were desereving winners on the day.

Final score: Kerry 1-17 Kildare 0-14.

Scorers: Kerry, Shane Conway 0-5 (3 frees), Jordan Conway 1-2, Padraig Boyle 0-5 (1 free), Darragh Shnahan 0-1, Eoin Ross 0-1, Colin Walsh 0-1, Dan Goggin 0-1, Niall Mulcahy 0-1.

Kildare, David Qualter 0-8 (8 frees), Cian Boran 0-2, Cathal McCabe 0-2, Paddy McKenna 0-1 (free), Gerry Keegan 0-1.

KERRY: John O'Halloran; Darragh Shanahan, Jason Diggins, Paudie O'Connor; Eoin Ross, Evan Murphy, Eric Leen; Fionan MacKessy, Kyle O'Connor; Michael Leane, Padraig Boyle, Shane Conway; Gavin Deeley, Branon Barrett, Colin Walsh. Subs: Jordadn Conway for Gavin Dooley (half-time); Dan Goggin for Brandon Barrett (53 minutes); Niall Mulcahy for Eoin Ross (58 minutes); Mickey Boyle for Darragh Shanahan (62 minutes).

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Niall Ó Muineacháin, Simon Leacy, Cian Shanahan; Paudl Dolan, Rian Boran, Drew Costello; Johnny Byrne, Cathal McCabe; James Burke cpt, Gerry Keegan, Paul Divilly; Brian Byrne, Cian Boran, David Qualter. Subs: Declan Flaherty for Paul Divilly (26 minutes); Sean Christanseen for James Burke (39 minutes); Sean Whelan for Cian Boran (57 minutes); Cormac Byrne for Cian Shanahan (72 minute).

REFEREE: Caymon Flynn.