Lots to learn as Kildare give-way to Galway under new rules

Galway 2-18

Kildare 0-17

It was wet, extremely cold and miserable but nonetheless there was a mighty attendance of excess of 3,500 at Saturday night's challenge between Kildare and Galway at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, in what was the first inter-county game at the redeveloped stadium.

Also of course Brian Flanagan and his management team first competitive outing, new rules in operation, new panel of players and all in all lots of 'news' with the architect of the rules, former Dublin boss Jim Gavin, keeping a close eye on the proceedings.

And what an interesting game we had.

Kildare manager, Brian Flanagan said after the game he welcomed the changes and felt they brought something different to the game.

And at the end of the day it was one of those new rules that proved the difference between the sides.

Galway hit a total of six two-pointers, turning those six into a dozen points while Kildare, on the other hand failed to gain any two-point scores, either from play or from frees; in fact I can't recall one attempt by a Kildare player for a two-point score.

The introduction of Paul Conroy proved a huge boost to the visitors with the big star midfielder hitting four brilliant long-range points that saw the orange (indicating a two-point score) flag being raised.

No doubt we will be seeing no shortage of those scores as the season unfolds and it is certainly something that The Lilies will have to work on and work on quickly at that; two pointers have the potential to be massive from now on.

Ryan Sinkey opened the scoring after six minutes, however a few minutes later a Cillian Ó Currain two-point free had the Tribesmen in front for the first time.

Kildare's top scorer on the night, Alex Beirne had the sides level after Galway were penalised 50m for failing to keep three players in their own half, and that particular new rule saw the boys in maroon being penalised on three occasions for the same mistake, all by the same player by the way, and no doubt Padraig Joyce will be reminding his squad of how costly that offence can be.

The sides were level on four occasions during that opening half, however it was a sloppy goal from a Kildare point of view finished by Matthew Tierney that gave Galway early momentum, it was a goal that most certainly should have been prevented.

Galway led at that stage 1-4 to 0-5 the Kildare points coming from three Alex Beirne efforts.

It was two more points from the Naas man, both frees, the second after the ball was brought forward 50m due to the three at back rule again.

The scores were level at 0-8 to 1-5 and that was the way it stayed at the break.

Galway opened the second half with two quick points, Kildare replied through Kevin Feely, Alex Beirne, Jimmy Hyland and Brian McLoughlin.

Paul Conroy got the first of his two-pointers before Cein Darcy linked up with former Clane minor star, Tomo Culhane for a brilliant finish to the top corner of the net for a goal worthy of any stage.

Kildare lost their way for a while after that; lost their own kick-outs on four or five occasions probably due to all the changes that were made while on the other hand the Galway changes certainly strengthened their side with Conroy in particular the stand-out player in maroon.

Matthew Tierney converted a two-point free while Kevin Feely and Alex Beirne replied, however three scores on the trot from Galway saw them lead 2-18 to 0-14.

Kildare did hit back with three points of their own from Feely, Hyland and Beirne.

In the end there was seven points separating the sides, probably a fair reflection of the game, but no doubt the two-pointers were the difference in the end.

A lot to learn no doubt, another game next Saturday, away to Down but interesting times ahead; Kildare will have a few extra bodies back in training this week as the build-up for the opening League game gains momentum.

Scorers

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

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

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-time); Liam Silke for Kieran Molloy (half-time); Paul Conroy for Matthew Thompson (half-time); Shay McGlinchey for Cillian McDaid (65 minutes); Jack O'Neill for Cein Darcy (65 minutes).

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); Cormac Barker (Kilcullen) for Didier Cordonnier (45 minutes); Daragh Mangan (Sallins) for Niall Kelly (51 minutes); Cathal Hagney (Nurney) for Brian McLoughlin (51 minutes); Tommy Gill (Carbury) for James McGrath (62 minutes); Tony Archbold (Celbridge) for Colm Dalton (62 minutes).

REFEREE: David Goff.