Rebels take out Kildare as visitors collapse

Cork 2-15

Kildare 3-9

Another desperately disappointing result for Kildare as they fell to Cork at SuperValu Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon, making if five defeates from five games, pointless, at the foot of the table and relegation now staring them in the face with just two games remaining.

However, despite the rend result at least, for a while at least Kildare fans did have something to cheer about in the opening half when leading by five points but the concession of a goal deep into time added on seemed to completely knock the stuffing out of the boys in white and all that despite finding the net on three occasions to raise their first green flag(s) of this campaign and their first 'major' since they defeated Limerick at The Athletic grounds in the second last game of the 2023 season.

Pairc Uí Chaoimh was looking in splendid condition as the game threw-in but right from the throw-in Kildare picked up a yellow card when Alex Beirne came charging through at the start, caught Cork midfielder Colm O'Callaghan and was duly shown a yellow card.

And while the Naas men went on to get Kildare's opening goal of the game, there is little doubt that that yellow effected his game and effected it big time as on more than one occasion he lost balls that under normal circumstances he would won have won with his tigerish, combative normal approach.

It was Brian O'Driscoll who opened the scoring for the home side and that could so easily have been a goal as Kildare keeper, Mark Donnellan, was caught off his line (the first of three times in similar situations) but O'Driscoll's effort hit the crossbar before going over.

Ian Maguire was next into the referee's book for a 'hit' on Eoin Doyle, who required treatment. However on eight minutes Kildare hit the front as Daniel Flynn danced by a few defenders, passed to Alex Beirne and the Naas man found the net with a first class finish.

Niall Kelly set up Kevin Feely, the Athy man getting the first of his impressive tally and Kildare led 1-1 to 0-1 with 12 on the clock.

Feely added another point, this time with left before O'Driscoll got his and his team's second of the game.
Cork were looking dangerous when breaking at speed and but for a brilliant interception by Jack Sargent could have found the Kildare net.

Rory Maguire reduced the deficit as Kildare were opened up again but just a point ensued.

A minute later and a bit like waiting for the Celbridge bus when one arrived a second one arrived soon after this time Niall Kelly hit a pass over Kevin Feely, picked up by Daniel Flynn who keeping his cool brilliantly found the Cork net to make it 2-2 to 0-3 with 23 minutes gone.

Cork were continuing to look dangerous on the break and reduced the lead when corner back, Kevin Flahive got in on goal and as Mark Donnellan advanced the Cork man fly-kicked the ball high and over the bar; Donnellan needed treatment but recovered well and continued on while at the same time Roli Sweeney picked up yellow card for encroaching on the pitch by referee Gough.

Niall Kelly it a brilliant point from wide on the right and Chris Óg Jones replied as half-time approached.
However prior to the break Kildare were on the attack some 25m out from the Cork goal when a Daniel Flynn attempted pass was intercepted and in a lightening more involving Eoghan McSweeney, Matty Taylor and Tommy Walsh the corner back finished to the net, a score that was a real hammer blow for the visitors right on the cusp of half-time.

Cork full forward Conor Corbett picked up yellow while as the players headed to the dressing room Kildare selector, Anthony Rainbow, had a long 'chat' with referee Gough.

On the resumption Cork took control with points from Brian O'Driscoll had the sides level before Conor Corbett edged the home side ahead for the first time since the fourth minute and it was a lead Cork were never to lose.

Chris Óg Jones extended the lead and while Kevin Feely replied with a converted free, full forward Conor Corbett left two between the sides on 44 minutes.

Kevin Feely failed to convert a free but it was Cork who were dominant throughout, particularly around the middle, Brian Hurley, Conor Corbett and Brian Hurley again made it 1-12 to 2-4 with 48 minutes on the clock.

Kildare really looked disheveled at this stage with no shape and looking in bit trouble but hit back and after a Daniel Flynn failed to find the target, referee Gough brought back play, awarded Kildare a free and Kevin Feely fired over.

Within two minute Cork were well and truely on their way following a brilliant catch by midfielder Colm O'Callaghan who passed to Conor Corbett and the no. 14 duly found the Kildare net.

Kildare attacked through Kevin O'Callaghan who was fouled as he attempted a point, referee Gough duly awarded a penalty and Kevin Feely brilliantly put the spot kick away with aplomb.

Substitute Callum Bolton hit a wide, Colm O'Callaghan, with two points before Stephen Sherlock saw his long range shot just go left and wide as Mark Donnellan was again caught off his line.
Chris Óg Jones added a point for Cork to make it 2-15 to 3-5.

Kildare did the last four scores of the game through a Niall Kelly free; a similar score from Kevin Feely; a Daniel Flynn point and a final white flag from Kevin Feely as the final whistle arrived Cork winning with some ease on a final score line of Cork 2-15 Kildare 3-9.

MAIN MAN
While a few Kildare players opened brightly at the end of the game the players all wore the colours of the home county; the least said about the Cork jerseys the better but it did not hinder them once they got their opening goal. They had all the stars in Colm O'Callaghan, Brian O'Driscoll while their full forward line of Chris Óg Jones, Conor Corbett and Brian Hurley hit an impressive total of 1-7 all but a point in the second half.

TURNING POINT
No doubt about the turning point, with Kildare looking they would go in at the break leading by four the concession of a late goal saw the lead not only reduced to a single point but it was the score that spurred on Cork and totally took the wind out of the Kildare sails.

TALKING POINT
The total second half collapse of Kildare and while there was a positive with three goals nevertheless with two games to go relegation looks almost a certain.

WHAT NOW?
A break next week followed by two 'home' games with Donegal and Louth the visitors.

Scorers: Cork Conor Corbett 1-2, Tommy Walsh 1-0, Brian O'Driscoll 0-3, Colm O'Callaghan 0-3, Chris Óg Jones 0-3, Brian Jurley 0-2, Kevin Flahive 0-1, Rory Maguire 0-1.

Kildare: Kevin Feely 1-6 (penalty, 3 frees), Alex Beirne 1-0, Daniel Flynn 1-1, Niall Kelly 0-2 (1 free).

Cork: Christopher Kelly; Kevin Flahive, Daniel O'Mahony, Tommy Walsh; Brian Byrne, Rory Maguire, Matty Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O'Callaghan; Eoghan McSweeney Mark Cronin, Brian O'Driscoll; Chris Jones, Conor Corbett, Brian Hurley. Subs: Sean Meehan for Rory Maguire (26 minutes); Ruari Deane for Eoghan McSweeney (half-time); Sean Powter for Mark Cronin (51 minutes); Steven Sherlock for Brian Hurley (57 minutes); David Buckley for Conor Corbett (66 minutes).

Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Ryan Houlihan, Mick O'Grady cpt., Rian Burke; Paddy McDermott, Eoin Doyle, Jack Sargent; Aaron Masterson, Kevin O'Callaghan; Luke Killian, Alex Beirne, Shane Farrell; Kevin Feely, Daniel Flynn, Niall Kelly. Subs: Brendan Gibbons for Aaron Masterson (42 minutes); Callum Bolton for Luke Killian (44 minutes); Shea Ryan for Eoin Doyle (49 minutes); Sam McCormack for Alex Beirne (51 minutes); Brian Byrne for Jack Sargent (66 minutes).

Referee David Gough, Meath.