Kildare fail to make their dominance count as they lead Limerick by just one point at half-time

Allianz National Football League Division 3

Kildare lead Limerick by just one point at half-time here in St Conleth's following a first half in which they seemed completely dominant but have somehow contrived to go into the break with just a one point lead. Four of Limerick's points have come from frees, and the performance of referee Niall Cullen has left the majority of spectators very frustrated.

Niall Kelly got Kildare off to a superb start when he smashed in a fifth minute goal. The score arrived after a fabulous ball was played in by his clubmate Kevin Feely, and the diminutive corner-forward took his man on before finding the corner of Donal O'Sullivan's net with a low, angled shot.

A brace of scores from Alan Smith, either side of Ian Ryan's first point for Limerick, put Kildare four points in front and the Lilywhites looked well poised to take control of the game. They led by five points with 27 minutes played, but Ian Ryan kicked four frees- two of which were highly controversially awarded- to cut the deficit to just one score before the break.