A rampant Kildare have torn Tipperary apart in the first half in Clonmel

Allianz NFL Division 3

It has undoubtedly been Kildare's finest performance of this year's league campaign to date as they have gone in at the break with a massive nine point lead after shutting out their opposition during an entertaining first half.

After Adam Tyrell and Daniel Flynn- a late addition to the starting side- opened the scoring early on, the game hit a patch where neither team scored for 10 minutes. During that period Kildare soaked up he pressure superbly, with Peter Kelly and Fergal Conway particularly impressive in defence, and it ultimately took the sting out of any Tipperary challenge.

Tyrell has kicked three eye-catching points, two of which came from play, while Niall Kelly has been at his playmaking best throughout the first half. It was the Athy man who bagged the goal for the Lilywhites when he attempted an audacious eye of the needle pass to Tommy Moolick, who skipped over the ball five yards from goal, allowing it to roll into the net.

Eoghan O'Flaherty has also kicked two points for the visitors, while Tommy Moolick has put in an industrious display in midfield.

Tipperary have been incredibly wasteful in attack, missing a number of close range frees before they eventually broke the duck in the 27th minute with a point from Kevin Fahey. Kildare goalkeeper Mark Donnellan has been superb in the opening 35 minutes too, with his best bit of work being a brilliant save that denied Alan Campbell a goal before half-time.

Kildare will the help of the breeze in the second half too, so barring an implosion they should see this one home comfortably.