Kildare outclassed by Galway

Galway chalked up their expected win over Kildare at Pearse Stadium, Salthill this evening and in fairness the final score line of 3-21 to 0-17 no one could quibble with in this Round 1 All-Ireland series.

At the end of the day this was a relegated Division 2 team against a top class Division 1 side who have eyes set to have a long summer.

While Kildare only trailed by two at the break, they played with the strong wind and the result was almost inevitable at the break.

Galway led at the interval by those two points - 2-8 to 0-12 - after a very open game and while the two Galway goals showed just what they were capable of, The Lilies with no less than four two-pointers, albeit with a strong breeze on their backs.

The opening goal saw Paul Conroy put Matthew Tierney in, after just five minutes, while the second green flag after a great run from Dylan McHugh ended with Cein Darcy palming past Eoin Sheehan to make it 2-4 to 0-5 after 17 minutes.

In fairness hit back with an Alex Beirne two pointer and a fine effort from Colm Dalton.

Galway added two points before Darragh Swords, in for Eoin Cully, split the posts.

Shane Walsh converted a brilliant 45m free, against the strong breeze but again Kildare hit back with a fine Darragh Kirwan two-pointer and then before the break Harry O’Nell set up Ben Loakman who left the half-time score reading Galway 2-8 Kildare 0-12.

It did not take Galway long to exercise their authority on the resumption, Rob Finnerty firing over a two-pointer and while Brian McLoughlin replied, a Shane Walsh orange flag pushed the maroon boys five clear.

The Impressive Robert Finnerty palmed his side’s third goal as Galway were now fully in command and simply had too much power and pace for a Kildare side, who never gave up but in fairness were totally outclassed.

Final score line Galway 3-21 Kildare 0-17.

Scorers: Galway, Robert Finnerty 1-9 (2 two-pointers), Shane Walsh 0-6 (2 frees, 1 two-pointer), Matthew Tierney 1-0, Cein Darcy 1-0, Cillian McDaid 0-2, Paul Conroy 0-1, John Maher 0-1, Shane McGrath 0-1, Damian Comer 0-1.

Kildare, Alex Beirne 0-5 (2 two-pointers, 1 free), Darragh Kirwan 0-3 (two-pointer), Brian McLoughlin 0-3 (two-pointer), Jack Robinson 0-2, Kevin Feely 0-1, Ben Loakman 0-1, Darragh Swords 0-1, Colm Dalton 0-1.

KILDARE: Eoin Sheehan; Ryan Burke, Mark Dempsey, Harry O’Neill; James McGrath, Eoin Lawlor, Brian Byrne; Kevin Feely cpt., Brendan Gibbons; Brian McLoughlin, Alex Beirne, Colm Dalton; Ben Loakman, Darragh Kirwan Eoin Cully. Subs: James Harris for Eoin Lawlor (21 minutes); Darragh Swords for Eoin Cully (26 minutes); Jack Robinson for Ben Loakman (51 minutes); Tommy Gill for James McGrath (55 minutes); Sam Doran for Harry O’Neill (65 minutes);

GALWAY: Conor Gleeson; Jack Glynn, Cian Hernon, Liam Silke; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Seán Kelly; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Céin Darcy, Ciarán Mulhern, Cillian McDaid; Rob Finnerty, Matthew Tierney, Shane Walsh. Subs: Damien Comer for Ciarán Mulhearn (44 minutes); Sean Ó Maoilchiaráin for Cian Hernon (54 minutes); Shane McGrath for Matthew Tierney (58 minutes); Shay McGlinchey for Paul Conroy (62 minutes).

REFEREE: Paul Faloon, Down.