O'Byrne Cup: Kildare well on top against Carlow

Carlow took on Kildare in the opening game of the O'Byrne Cup played at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow, on Wednesday, 3rd January.

Kildare led at the break 1-8 to 0-4, the goal coming on the cusp of half-time a fine sweeping move ending with Kevin Feely feeding full forward Shane O'Sullivan who fired low to the corner of the Carlow net.

Level twice early on Kildare took the lead on 12 minutes, Alex Beirne firing over and from here on it was the visitors who, while not entirely dominating, certainly enjoyed the bulk of possession.

Carlow, with no shortage of players behind the ball, struggled at times to come to terms with some impressive work-rate and tackling but were still well in it up to that O'Sullivan goal in the 35 minutes.

Kildare dominated the second half adding 1-4 before the home side got their second point of the half. The Kildare goal was a fine effort after Niall Kelly cut in on the end line, passing to Paddy Woodgate who found the net.

With Kildare making five second half changes, as did their opponents, the home side added five points while Kildare can be more than happy with their final total and they now take on Wexford this Saturday (away).

Final score: Kildare 2-17 Carlow 0-10.

Scorers: Kidare, Paddy Woodgate 1-3 (free, mark), Shane O'Sullivan 1-2 (mark), Danial Flynn 0-4, Niall Kelly 0-3 (2 frees), Alex Beirne 0-2, Brian Byrne 0-1, Mark Donnellan 0-1 (45); Rian Teahan 0-1.

Carlow, Darragh Foley 0-4 (4 frees), Colm Hulton 0-1, Jordan Morrissey 0-1, John Phiri 0-1, Aaron Amond 0-1, Conor Doyle 0-1, Kein Murphy 0-1,

KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Mick O'Grady, Shea Ryan, Ryan Burke; Paddy McDermott, Jack Sargent, Brian Byrne; Kevin O'Callaghan, Kevin Feely; Alex Beirne, Niall Kelly, Rian Teahan; Daniel Flynn, Shane O'Sullivan, Paddy Woodgate. Subs: Ryan Houlihan for Mick O'Grady (half-time); Killian Galligan for Paddy McDermott (half-time); Luke Killian for Kevin Feely (half-time); Callum Bolton for Alex Beirne (45 minutes); Shane Farrell for Daniel Flynn (45 minutes);

CARLOW: Johnny Furey; Colin Byrne, Mikey Bambrick, Shane Buggy; Colm Hulton, Josh Moore, Dara Curren; John Murphy, Jordan Morrissey; John Phiri, Mark Furey, Aaron Amond; Conor Doyle, Darragh Foley, Eric Molloy. Subs: Kevin Murhy for Josh Moore (half-time); Adam Burgess for Eric Molloy (42 minutes); Cathal Kelly for Colin Byrne (57 minutes); Cathal Bailey for Colm Hulton (63 mintes); Jamie Lunny for Mikey Bambrick (69 minutes);

REFEREE: Darragh Byrne.