Kildare hurlers blitz Donegal early in another strong showing

Kildare 3-21

Donegal 1-15

Donegal arrived in Newbridge for Round 4 of the Allianz Hurling League on the back of an impressive win over Kerry. It was a result that made Kildare sit up and take notice but we needn't have worried as the Lilywhites produced a scintillating open 35 minutes to blow away any hopes Donegal had of causing an upset.

Three opening half goals from Darragh Melville, Gerry Keegan and James Dolan meant Kildare had built up an unassailable 15 point lead at the break.

It was the tempo of Kildare's opening half that impressed the most. They moved the ball at pace from defence into attack and 20 shots on goal they converted 15 times.

The meeting of last year's Ring and Rackard Cup winners and the fact they were both tied on four points meant there was plenty at stake for both sides. Kildare prepared accordingly and more importantly they delivered.

Kildare raced out of the traps in impressive fashion. Points from James Burke and James Dolan with two inside four minutes helped set the tempo. Kildare were playing with a high intensity and two goals inside a minute left Donegal shell shocked.
Paul Dolan's long delivery found Darragh Melville who shot low past Luke White in the Donegal goals.

Straight from the restart Paul Dolan found Melville and this time he turned provider as he put Gerry Keegan into space. The Celbridge man buried it from the tighest of angles. Seven minutes in and Kildare nine ahead.

Danny Cullen fired over the opening Donegal score on eight before midfielder Gérard Gilmore converted a 30-metre free.

Kildare kept coming in waves and a Donegal side who returned 5-14 a week earlier against Kerry were getting nothing from a water tight Kildare defence. Both sides swapped two points each, Qualter from play and a free Gilmore and Luke White both adding frees. Kildare led 2-5 to 0-4 at the end of the opening 15 minutes.

Kildare hit five in a row over a seven minute spell cementing their dominance on the run up to half time.

Gerry Keegan and two each from Qualter and Burke. Gerard Gilmore pointed a rare Donegal free on 25 but they were struggling to make any meaningful attacks.

Cathal McCabe is enjoying his new lease of life from centre back and after three points last week in Derry he registered his first of the day on 26.

Donegal would have been praying for the break of half time but Kildare had time for another goal.

Gerry Keegan showed great vision to pick out Jack Sheridan behind the Donegal defence and although Liam White made a great save he couldn't prevent James Dolan's follow up. David Qualter and Liam McKinney traded late points but Kildare went to the dressing rooms with a 3-12 to 0-6 advantage in their best have of the year.

The tempo dropped considerably after the break and Donegal outscored Kildare by 1-12 to 0-9 over the closing 35 minutes.

You could be forgiven for thinking the home side had taken their foot off the pedal but in fairness to Donegal they improved and they had Kildare on the back foot for long periods. It was a game Kildare were never going to lose but they left Brian Dowling with plenty to work on next week.

Darragh Melville opened the Kildare account three minutes after the break but Donegal had points from Gilmore and Liam McKinney before Ronan McDermott got inside the Kildare cover to fire past Paddy McKenna. David Qualter added three frees as Kildare kept Donegal at bay. Muiris Curtin was back in action after last week's illness, to fire over after coming on in the 42nd minute. Gilmore added 4 late frees for the visitors as full forward Liam McKinney got his third.

James Dolan and David Qualter capped fine individual performances with late Kildare points but in truth this game was well over as a contest.After three minutes of injury time Kildare were home as 3-21 to 1-15 winners.

Two rounds remaining and Kildare still have promotion in their own hands.

Events next weekend mean promotion could come early. If Kildare beat Tyrone and Meath fail to beat Down Kildare will be promoted.

A lot of hurling still to be played.

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Liam O'Reilly, Simon Leacy, Rian Boran; Daniel O'Meara, Cathal McCabe 0-1, Paul Dolan; Daire Guerin, Cian Boran; Darragh Melville 1-1, David Qualter 0-10 (7 frees), Gerry Keegan 1-1; Jack Sheridan, James Burke 0-3 , James Dolan (Celbridge) 1-4. Subs: Muiris Curtin 0-1 for James Burke 42; Evan O'Briain for Gerry Keegan 49; Cormac Byrne for Dan O'Meara 55; Oisin Lynam for Darragh Melville 59; James Dolan (EOCC) for Rian Boran 65.

DONEGAL: Liam White 0-2 (2 frees); Oisin Kelly, Jack O'Loughlin, Michael Donaghue; Conor O Grady, Stephen McBride, Ciaran Bradley; Gerard Gilmore 0-7 (6 frees), Sean Ward; ,Brian McIntyre,,Ronan McDermott 1-0, Danny Cullen 0-1; Conor Gartland 0-1, Liam McKinney 0-3 ,Peter Kelly. Subs: Ruairi Campbell for C Bradley 43; Declan Coulter 0-1 for Peter Kelly 48; Cormac Finn for Conor Gartland 64; Dean Harvey for Conor O Grady 64; Padraig Doherty for Brian McIntyre 68.

REFEREE: Nicky O'Toole Waterford.

LISTEN: Kildare star Cian Boran reacts to another great win for the hurlers