Kildare hurlers dazzle in Derry and pick up a win on the road

Kildare 2-25

Derry 0-17

After an opening day defeat away to Down in Ballycran Kildare have now made it back to back wins in the Allianz National Hurling league.

This Division 2 encounter played on Saturday afternoon in Celtic Park, Derry, saw Kildare overcome the home side by a comfortable 14 points courtesy of goals either side of half-time from Jack Sheridan and Daragh Melville.

A change of venue late on Friday night didn't deter the Lilywhites as they had to travel the extra mileage from Owenbeg but they ran out impressive winners in a repeat of last year's Christy Ring Cup Final.

Kildare brought in Ritchie Hogan, Jack Sheridan and Gerry Keegan for their first starts of the campaign. Celbridge's James Dolan became the fourth to make a first start after the late withdrawal of Muiris Curtin through illness.

Sheridan, Keegan and Dolan contributed 1-5 as part of a 2-19 return from the Kildare forwards.

After hitting 2-28 against Kerry in the last round the Lilywhites kept up the impressive strike rate. They also had time to hand debuts to Oisin Lynam (Celbridge), Evan O Briain (Naas) and Matt Eustace (Maynooth) before the end.

Derry were quickest off the mark when Christy McNaughton converted an opening minute free.

Kildare responded from the puck out and before we had reached the second minute two David Qualter points had Kildare into a lead they never lost.

Jack Sheridan and Paul Dolan, both from distance, extended the lead to three after 4 minutes.

McNaughton again from a free reduced the lead but it was short lived. Cian Boran, James Dolan and a David Qualter free, his third quickly moved Kildare five ahead.

The strong breeze on the Kildare backs certainly helped with the shooting from distance.

Christy McNaughton, this time from play, was on target either side of points from David Qualter and Cathal McCabe and when midfielder Eamon Murray fired over a fifth Derry score the home side were back within four.

Their moment of encouragement was shortlived as Kildare went on a scoring run that yielded six scores without reply.
Daragh Melville fired over his first before the games opening goal arrived on 23.

A Cathal McCabe ball was won by Jack Sheridan and without taking the ball into his hand he fired past Conor Campbell to move Kildare 12 ahead. David Qualter forced a great save from Campbell but James Dolan was on hand to fire over the rebound.

Gerry Keegan (2),Daragh Melville (3) and Cathal McCabe all added points as Kildare went to the dressing rooms 1-17 to 0-6 to the good after an impressive opening half.

Despite facing into a stiff second half breeze the Lilywhites were on the board inside 30 seconds.

Dan O'Meara setting up Daragh Melville directly from the throw in.Christy McNaughton hit three of the next four scores, three frees, as Thomas Brady became only the third Derry scorer with a fine effort on 38.

David Qualter pointed two frees from distance either side of substitute Shea Cassidy's first of the game.With 25 minutes remaining Kildare still held a convincing 12 point advantage.

Both managers started to empty the benches and Kildare were able to reward three debutants with their first piece of senior inter county action. Oisin Lynam, Evan O Briain and Matt Eustace had days to remember.

Cian Boran fired over the score of the game on 46 but after David Qualter added three in a row he edged Kildare 12 ahead.

John Mullan from play and four more from Christy McNaughton, two frees and two from play helped keep the Derry scoreboard ticking over.

McNaughton did bring his total to 0-12 but it was never enough as he fought a lone battle. Sean Cassidy had time to get forward from wing back for a 17th Derry score but Kildare were just seeing out time as the result had been secured alot earlier.

Cathal McCabe rounded off a fine individual performance from centre back with his third point and when Daragh Melville got inside the Derry defence he fired in Kildare's second goal on 66 to go with his five earlier points.

The final whistle was well received by both sets of players and for very different reasons.

Derry just wanted out of there but Kildare are on a different trajectory and having hit 5-53 in their last two outings they can look forward to a home game next Sunday, against an already impressive Donegal outfit, The Lilywhites will want to keep the run going with one eye on promotion.

After the disappointment of an opening day defeat to Down Kildare have turned things around in striking fashion.

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna, Richie Hogan, Simon Leacy, Rian Boran, Daniel O Meara, Cathal McCabe 0-3, Cian Boran 0-2, Daire Guerin, Paul Dolan 0-1, Daragh Melville 1-5, David Qualter 0-9 (4 frees), James Dolan (Celbridge) 0-2, Jack Sheridan 1-1, Gerry Keegan 0-2, Cathal Dowling. Subs: Matt Eustace for Richie Hogan 46. Conn Kehoe for Gerry Keegan 58. Oisin Lynam for James Dolan 62 James Dolan (EOCC) for Cathal McCabe 66. Evan O Briain for Daragh Melville 67.

DERRY: Conor Campbell, Paddy Kelly, Mark Craig, Patrick Turner, Thomas Brady 0-1,Richie Mullan, Sean Cassidy 0-1, Aimon Duffy, Eamon Conway 0-1, Padhraig Neilis, Meehaul McGrath, Ruairi O Mianain, John Mullan 0-1, Christy McNaughton 0-12 (9 frees), Eamon Cassidy. Subs: James Friel for Paddy Kelly 29. Shea Cassidy 0-1 for Padhraig Neilis 43. Sean Quinn for Ruairi Mianain 56. Eoghan McCallum for Thomas Brady 66.

REFEREE: Peter Owens (Down)