Kildare hurlers take over The Kingdom in first Cedral St. Conleth's Park tie

Kildare 2-28

Kerry 0-17

The Kildare hurlers’ first game in the new Cedral St Conleth’s Park was not light on entertainment as they beat Kerry in their second Allianz Hurling League Division 2 outing.

It was Kerry however who got the game’s opening score through Shane Conway inside the first minute. The corner-forward was reliable from set-pieces throughout the day for the visitors.

Cathal Dowling levelled things with a score from 50m out before sending the home side three clear by raising the game’s first green flag. The Naas forward combined brilliantly with clubmate Daire Guerin and, after being sent through on goal, Dowling found the very top corner of those brand new nets.

The Lilies kicked on from here with points from David Qualter and a long-ranger from provider turned scorer Daire Guerin.
A brilliant Shane Conway point from play stemmed the flow for Kerry and made this game 1-3 to 0-2 after 10 minutes.

Kildare were winning the majority of possessions in the first half, but were far from pushing clear of the visiting side early on.
Converted frees from David Qualter were answered by Shane Conway at the other end.

Daire Guerin’s second point of the afternoon to make this game 1-7 to 0-7 exemplified everything brilliant about Kildare’s first half.

Cian Boran battled his opposite number brilliantly and, after emerging with the ball, found Guering to drive on and score.

That super score was then followed by three Kerry points without reply to bring them to within three again in by far their best spell of the game to that point.

A first point for Shane Nolan was followed by yet another Conway free and a first for centre-forward Adam Segal. The trio of scores made this game 1-7 to 0-7 after 25 minutes.

Just three clear after largely dominating was disappointing for Brian Dowling’s men, but they reacted brilliantly and surged before the break.

Two David Qualter frees were followed by an excellent score from Daniel O’Meara after the wing-back battled to win possession.

Paul Dolan added another from midfield, which was soon followed by yet another Qualter point from a free. Kerry’s last point of the opening half came from the ash of Rory O’Mahony to bring their tally to 0-8.

Kildare were not done yet though and added another from Qualter and a first for James Burke to make this game 1-14 to 0-8 at half-time.

Kerry had plenty to do and came out strong with two points in as many minutes after the restart.

That early momentum was stunted by a second Kildare goal from David Qualter. Muiris Curtin’s effort was excellently saved by Louis Dee, but the Kerry goalkeeper saw the ball fly past him on the rebound from the hurl of Qualter.

The sides grabbed a couple more points at each end to leave this game at 2-16 to 0-13 in the 42nd minute. The Lilies’ commanding lead would only expand from here.

Further David Qualter frees were surrounded by additions from Cian Boran, Gerry Keegan and full-back Simon Leacy.

Jack Sheridan got 0-3 from the bench as he returned from injury. Another good sign for The Lilies as they prepare to travel to face Derry on February 22.

An excellent win on their first Cedral St Conleth’s Park outing by 2-28 to 0-17 for the Kildare hurlers.

After a decent performance without the result in Ballycran, Brian Dowling's men again created chances and battled hard, but this time emerged with the points. They did so in some style too.

MAIN MAN
David Qualter
The Maynooth man was exceptional for The Lilies on the day. As well as 12 set-piece scores, his goal in the 37th minute ensured there was no turning of the tide after half-time. Qualter elegantly swept home the rebound of Muiris Curtin's effort at goal.

TURNING POINT
Kildare's surge before half-time, hitting seven of the last eight points before the break, was crucial in turning what had been a good showing to that point into a meaningful lead.

TALKING POINT
After a hugely impressive win, attention will turn to Kildare's next game in three weeks time. The Lilies' visit up North will inform their prospects for the rest of their Division 2 campaign. Nevertheless, this team is most certainly building towards a hopefully more prosperous Joe McDonagh campaign later in the year.

WHAT NOW?
Kildare travel to Owenbeg to face Derry in the third round of the Allianz Hurling League Division 2 on Saturday, February 22.

Scorers, Kildare, David Qualter 1-13 (0-10 frees 0-2 65’), Cathal Dowling 1-2, Jack Sheridan 0-3 (0-1 frees), Daire Guerin 0-2, James Burke 0-2, Muiris Curtin 0-1, Paul Dolan 0-1, Daniel O’Meara 0-1, Cian Boran 0-1, Gerry Keegan 0-1, Simon Leacy 0-1.

Kerry, Shane Conway 0-11 (0-9 frees), Rory O’Mahony 0-2, Shane Nolan 0-1, Adam Segal 0-1, Seanie Brosnan 0-1, Tom Doyle 0-1.

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Cormac Byrne, Simon Leacy, Rian Boran; Daniel O'Meara, Cathal McCabe, Cian Boran; Daire Guerin, Paul Dolan; Darragh Melville, Jack Travers, Muiris Curtin; David Qualter, James Burke, Cathal Dowling. Subs: Gerry Keegan for Muiris Curtin (45 minutes), Jack Sheridan for Jack Travers (53 minutes), Conn Kehoe for Darragh Melville (58 minutes), Richy Hogan for Cathal McCabe (62 minutes), James Dolan for James Burke (64 minutes).

KERRY: Louis Dee; Kyle O'Connor, Dara Kearney, Daithí Griffin; Darragh Shanahan, Ronan Walsh, Ronan Donovan; Killian Hayes, Rory O'Mahony; Jack Sheehan, Adam Segal, Tom Doyle; Oísin Maunsell, Shane Nolan, Shane Conway. Subs: Seanie Brosnan for Jack Sheehan (Half-time), Seanie McGrath for Darragh Shanahan (47 minutes), Jeremy McKenna for Adam Segal (49 minutes), Niall Mulcahy for Shane Nolan (57 minutes), Darragh Conway for Killian Hayes (64 minutes).

Referee: Caymon Flynn (Wexford).