Earley’s class on view as Juniors advance

DERMOT Earley made his first start in a white jersey since August 2010 when lining out at mid field for the Kildare junior footballers as they began the defence of their Leinster title, with a six point win over Louth at St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, on Wednesday, writes TOMMY CALLAGHAN.

The big Sarsfields man eased himself back in and showed glimpses of his undoubted skill with some delightful passes, a few excellent catches and topped it off with two fine points, the second a beautiful left footed effort from wide on the right side into the town goal.

Kildare were on top for most of the game but could not kill off the Louth challenge and while they lead at the break by 1-8 to 0-6 a Louth goal mid way the second half left just three between them.

Kildare, in fairness, upped their game scoring the final three points of the game to win on a scoreline of Kildare 1-15 Louth 1-9.

Scorers:

Kildare, Cathal McNally 1-1, Gareth Duffy 0-3, Daniel Flynn 0-1, Seamus Hanafin 0-4 (3 frees), Barry Lawlor 0-2, Dermot Earley 0-2, Cian Bolton 0-2 (1 free),

Louth,

Barry Hamilton 1-0, Ronan Holdcroft 0-3 (1 free), Conor Rafferty 0-3 (3 frees), Niall Conlon 0-1, Sean McCann 0-1, William Woods 0-1,