Kildare record comfortable win over Wexford in O'Byrne Cup

Kildare had a comfortable win over Wexford at St Patrick's Park, Enniscorthy, this afternoon, in this the opening game of the 2026 O'Byrne Cup.

With a lot of players in white getting their first taste of senior county football, it was a decent work-out for Brian Flanagan's side who led at the break 1-8 to 0-2, the goal coming from Darragh Swords. Wexford's only score of that opening half was a two-pointer free Colum Feeney.

Darragh Swords his 1-2 in that opening half with Niall Dolan firing over an excellent two-poiniter.

The second half was much of the same with Kildare introducing a total of seven second half substitutes but a second goal from Sam Doran maintaining Kildare's lead as The Lilies went on to win 2-12 to 0-8.

Kildare now play Dublin next weekend, Ger Brennan's side defeated Laois in their clash this afternoon.

Scorers: Kildare, Darragh Swords 1-2, Sam Doran 1-1, Brian McLoughlin 0-2 (1 free), Ben Loakman 0-2, Niall Dolan 0-2 (two-pointer), Liam Kelly 0-1, Dara Crowley 0-1, Aaron Browne 0-1 (free).

Wexford, Colum Feeney 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Niall Hughes 0-2 (two-pointer), Pairi Hughes 0-2, Liam Coleman 0-1,

KILDARE: Eoin Sheehan (Johnstownbridge); Mick Spillane (Athy),, Padraic Spillane Padraic Ó (Athy), Liam Kelly (Milltown); James Harris (Castlemitchell), Eoin Lawlor (Naas), Brian Byrne (Naas); Dara Crowley(Raheens), Brendan Gibbons (Kilcock); Niall Dolan (Raheens), Sam Doran (Johnstownbridge), Brian McLoughlin (Clane); Ben Loakman (Sarsfields), Neil Flynn (Maynooth); Darragh Swords (Caragh). Second half subs: Ryan Burke (Caragh); Rob Fitzgerald (Naas); Conor Doyle (Athy); Colm Moran (Athy); Eoin Culy (Carbury); Eoin Bagnall (Allenwood); Aaron Browne (Celbridge); Killian Browne (Celbridge).

WEXFORD: William Gaul; Liam O'Connor, Gavin Sheehan, Ruairi Martin; Cathal Kehoe, Eoghan Nolan, Dylan Furlong; Liam Coleman, Colum Feeney; Donal Shanley, Pairic Hughes, Mark Rossiter; Shane Kehoe, Robbie Broooks, Sean Ryan.

REFEREE: John Hegarty.