Kildare open Christy Ring Cup campaign with win over Sligo
Cathal Dowling got both Kildare goals as they secured a win away in Markievicz Park
Kildare 2-19
Sligo 2-8
An eleven point victory over Sligo was Kildare's reward for the long trip west to Marcheviz Park in the opening round of the Christy Ring Cup.
Although it was a comfortable victory, as would have been most people's prediction prior to throw-in, it wasn't easy viewing.
After the disappointment of relegation from the Joe McDonagh Cup at the end of 2023 Brian Dowling and his charges would have set their stall out early for a swift return to the higher level.
The manner of the win over Sligo was far from an impressive or polished. Even with a ten point interval lead Kildare rarely hit the heights expected of them.
On a difficult day where heavy showers were accompanied by a swirling breeze it was Sligo who struck first when Finnian Cawley swooped on a loose ball from the throw in and his thirty metre run allowed him set up Gérard O Kelly-Lynch for the first of his two opening half goals.
Kildare responded immediately and as Simon Leacy's effort for a point dropped short it was Cathal Dowling who nipped in front of keeper Luke Comerford to flick to the net.
Three minutes in and a Jack Sheridan free edged Kildare into the lead for the first time.
It was a lead they never lost.
James Burke, showing glimpses of his previous form, hit two in a row as Kildare dominated possession.
Good Simon Leacy tracking saw him get a long pass in the direction of fellow Naas man Cathal Dowling and with a swift turn he was away from his marker.
Although his shot was weak it still found its way past Comerford and seven minutes in Kildare were eight ahead.
Rory McHugh did respond with a point from distance but in truth Kildare were comfortable.
Daire Guerin got in on the scoring with two in a row,the second came after brilliant work from corner back Mark Grace.Jack Sheridan brought his tally to three with a 65 and a free after James Burke was fouled.
Sligo responded with a quick O Kelly-Lynch free and when the centre forward was presented with a simple free twenty metres out he caught the Kildare defence off guard with a low shot to the net.Suddenly the gap was only five with eleven minutes to the break.
Simon Leacy was having a typical Simon Leacy performance as he covered every blade of grass, cutting out Sligo attacks and he was rewarded with two white flags on 25 and 27 minutes.
Although Gérard O Kelly-Lynch did add another free on 28 it was Kildare who finished the half impressively with four in a row to move 2-13 to 2-3 ahead.
A beautiful interception from Cathal McCabe set up Jack Sheridan before Muiris Curtin hit two either side of a Conan Boran monster from just outside his own 45.
Kildare were slow out of the traps on the restart and eleven minutes had elapsed before they responded to two Gérard O Kelly-Lynch efforts.
Jack Sheridan converting a 35 metre effort; added a free and two long range James Burke efforts pushed Kildare 12 ahead but for all their possession they were wasteful and it will be something Brian Dowling will be anxious to address over the coming week.
Gérard O Kelly-Lynch brought his personal tally to 2-6 when he pointed from play and a free.
James Burke added his third of the half as he brought his account up to five points. Jack Sheridan and Sligo midfielder Tomas Cawley swapped late points in injury time but in fairness it was a half to forget. Kildare could only manage six points in that period but the 2-19 to 2-8 winning margin will be a win that leaves plenty of room for improvement
Kildare move on to a home meeting with Wicklow next weekend and it's safe to say you will see a marked improvement.
On the injury front Kildare will hope that a few injuries from the Sligo game will have cleared before the visit of the men from the Garden County.
KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Cormac Byrne, Sean Christanseen, Mark Grace; Simon Leacy 0-2, Conan Boran 0-1, Rian Boran; Paul Dolan, Cathal McCabe; Daire Guerin 0-2, James Burke 0-5, Cathal Dowling 2-0; Muiris Curtin 0-2, Jack Sheridan 0-7 (4 frees,1'65), David Qualter. Subs: Declan Flaherty for Cathal Dowling 30; Conn Kehoe for David Qualter 45; Jack Higgins for Cathal McCabe 47; Darragh Melville for Muiris Curtin 58; Harry Carroll for Paul Dolan 66.
SLIGO: Luke Comerford; Niall Kilcullen, Gavin Connolly,Darragh Cawley; Liam O Kelly-Lynch, Niall Feehily, Joe McHugh; Rory McHugh 0-1, Tomas Cawley 0-1; Eddie O'Donoghue; Gearoid O Kelly-Lynch 2-6 (5 frees), Finnian Cawley; Conor Griffin, Michael Munnelly, Fionn Connolly. Subs: Conor Hannify for Liam O Kelly-Lynch 24; Darragh Flynn for Eddie O Donoghue 44.
REFEREE: Tarlach Conway (Derry).