AHL: Carlow have no answers against impressive Kildare

It was a disappointing opening for Carlow in their Allianz Hurling League (Division 2A) as they slumped to a 13 point defeat to Kildare at Netwatch Cullen Park Carlow on Sunday.

It was a very impressive display by David Herity's side,  particularly in the second half.

Carlow performed best in the first half, with Kildare leading at the break by 0-10 to 0-6.

However in the second half Carlow had no answer as Kildare stepped up their game considerably and with James Burke in top form (scoring 11 points in total) they certainly put down an early marker in this Division 2A contest.

The result leaves Carlow bottom of the table on scoring difference, having scored the least of all teams in the division. Kerry lead the table on scoring difference, with Kildare and Offaly on two points also. 

Down and Derry also lost their opening encounters of the league over the weekend. 

Carlow will be in action again this coming Sunday when they travel to Austin Stacks ground to take on Kerry at 2pm. 

Final score: Kildare 0-24 Carlow 0-11.

Scorers: Kildare, James Burke 0-11 (9 frees), Gerry Keegan 0-2, Cian Boran 0-2, Paul Dolan 0-2, Declan Flaherty 0-2, Cathal Dowling 0-1, Johnny Byrne 0-1, Cathal McCabe 0-2, Brian Byrne 0-1, Conan Boran 0-1,

Carlow, Kevin McDonald 0-3 (free, 65), Richard Coady 0-1, Fiachra Fitzpatrick 0-1, Jon Nolan 0-2, Ciaran Whelan 0-1 (free), Fiach O'Toole 0-1 (free), Jack Treacy 0-1, Evan Kelly 0-1 (free).

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Niall O Muineacháin, Conan Boran, Simon Leacy; Jack Travers, Rian Boran, Cian Shanahan; Paul Dolan, Cathal McCabe; Johnny Byrne, Gerry Keegan, James Burke (C); Brian Byrne, Cathal Dowling, Cian Boran. Subs: David Qualter for Cian Boran (48 minutes); Declan Flaherty for Cathal Dowling (53 minutes); Sean Christanseen for Rian Boran (58 minutes); Killian Aherne for Johnny Byrne (58 minutes); Cormac Byrne for Simon Leacy (66 minutes).

CARLOW: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Conor Lawlor, Jack McCullagh; Tony Lawlor, Kevin McDonald, Niall Bolger; Richard Coady, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Jon Nolan, Ciaran Whelan, Fiach O'Toole; Jack Tracey, Jake Doyle, Ciaran Kavanagh. Subs: Evan Kealy for Ciaran Whelan (12 minutes); JP Treacy for Fiach O'Toole (53 minutes); Eric English for JP Treacy (63 minutes); Diego Dunne for Richard Coady (64 minutes).

REFEREE: Thomas Walsh, Waterford.