Galway tops against Kildare in senior challenge

Galway deservedly came out on top in the senior challenge against Kildare at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, this evening.

In front of a fine attendance it was the first time the new rules were in operation with Jim Gavin in attendance seeing how his plans worked out at a competitive inter-county level.

In the end it was second half substitute Paul Conroy with four two-point long range points that proved the difference.

The sides were level at the break 0-8 to 1-5.

Alex Beirne was the top scorer for Kildare with nine points.

Scorers: Kildare, Alex Beirne 0-9 (5 frees), Kevin Feely 0-3 (1 free), Jimmy Hyland 0-2, Ryan Sinkey 0-1, Callum Bolton 0-1, Brian McLoughlin 0-1,

Galway, Paul Conroy 0-8 (four 2 pointers), Cillian O Currain 0-3 (one two-pointer), Matthew Tierney 1-4 (1 mark, two-pointer free, 1 free), Tomo Culhane 1-0, Cillian McDaid 0-1, Daniel Flaherty 0-1, Colm Costello 0-1,

KILDARE: Didier Cordonnier (Two Mile House); Harry O'Neill (Clane), Mick O'Grady (Celbridge), Brian Byrne (Naas); Ryan Houlihan (Moorefield), James McGrath (Athy), Kevin Flynn (Celbridge); Kevin Feely (Athy), Callum Bolton (Sarsfields); Brian McLoughlin (Clane), Alex Beirne (Naas), Colm Dalton (Sallins); Ryan Sinkey (Naas), Daniel Flynn (Johnstownbridge), Niall Kelly (Athy). Subs: David Hyland (Athy) for Kevin Flynn 27 minutes); Jimmy Hyland (Ballyteague) for Daniel Flynn (half-time); Eoin Lawlor (Naas) for Ryan Houlihan (half-time);

GALWAY: Connor Flaherty; Sean Fitzgerald, Cian Hernon, Daniel Flaherty; Kernan Molloy, John Daly, Sean Kelly; Cein Darcy, Cillian McDaid; Finian O Laoi, Sam O'Neill, James McLoughlin; Matthew Thompason, Matthew Tierney, Cillian O'Currain. Subs: Tomo Cullane for Cillian O Currain (27 minutes); Connor Gleeson for Conor Flaherty (half-time); Johnny McGrath for Ciann Hernon (half-otime); Liam Silke for Kieran Molloy (half-time); Paul Conroy for Matthew Thompson (half-time).

REFEREE: David Gough.