Kildare open U20 campaign with excellent victory

Leinster and All-Ireland U20 champions, Kildare, got their 2024 season off to a fully-deserved seven point win over Longford at Manguard Park, Hawkfield, this evening.

In a fine game of football both teams played attacked at every opportunity, which was certainly refreshing to see and it was Kildare's goal in the 47 minute that brought the Longford challenge to an end, the vital score coming from full forward Ross Harris.

Kildare led at the break by two, thanks to three late points, coming from a point down to two up.

It was Longford who opened the scoring with a point after 30 seconds from Paddy Moran.

Kildare hit back with three points on the trot to lead by two after 11 minutes.

An excellent open, attacking game as Longford upped their game with points from Matthew Carey and Michael Flynn and when Caolan Lynch raised a white flag the sides were level at 0-4 apiece after 23 minutes.

The next two points were shared, Michael Flynn converted a free to take the lead but it was the home side who finished with those three late points to lead at the break 0-8 to 0-6.

The opening six points of the second half were shared equally before Colm Dalton got his third of the game followed by the vital goal coming from a long ball in by Ryan Sinkey with Ross Harris arriving late and getting the vital touch and while Longford certainly did not throw in the towel it was Kildare who finished the strongest adding another four points to their opponentstwo.

Final score: Kildare 1-15 Longford 0-11.

Scorers: Kildare, Niall Dolan 0-4 (2 frees), Ross Harris 1-0, Colm Dalton 0-3, Ryan Sinkey 0-3 (1 free), David McPartlin 0-2 (two 45s), James Harris 0-1, Killian Browne 0-1, Dara Crowley 0-1.

Longford, Matthew Carey 0-4 (2 frees), Caolan Lynch 0-3, Michael Flynn 0-3 (2 frees), Paddy Moran 0-1.

KILDARE: David McPartlin (Raheens); Rob Fitzgerald (Naas), Eoin Lawlor (Naas), Ethan Mountaine (Sarsfields); Killian Browne (Celbridge), James Harris (Castlemitchell), Colm Dalton (Sallins); Dara Crowley (Raheens), Fionn Cooke (Raheens); Oisin Grufferty (St Laurence's), Niall Dolan cpt (Raheens), Niall Cullen (Maynooth); Ryan Sinkey (Naas), Ross Harris (Castlemitchell), Josh O'Donoghue (Johnstownbridge). Subs: Sean Mahon (Maynooth) for Rob Fitzgerald half-time); Sam Savage (Rathangan) for Josh O'Donoghue (44 minutes); Mark Fitzsimons (Rathangan) for Oisín Grufferty (55 minutes); TJ Nolan (St Laurence's) for Fionn Cooke (58 minutes); Ben Loakman (Sarsfields) for Colm Dalton (59 minutes).

LONGFORD: Oisín McManus; Conor Smith, Ruairí O'Toole, Eoghan Williams; Gavin Farrelly, Andrew Flynn, Ronan Courtney; Aaron Smyth, Ross Shields; Caolan Lynch, Matthew Carey, Matthew Flynn; Sean Smith, Paddy Moran, Michael FLynn. Subs: Jack Belton for Aaron Smyth (half-time); Harry Kiernan for Sean Smith (41 minutes); Jamie Brady Hynes for Jack Belton (51 minutes); Brian Mulvey for Caolan Lynch (56 minutes); Oisín Flynn for Gavin Farrelly (59 minutes).

REFEREE: James Foley, Carlow.