Opening Round defeat for Kerry Hurlers in Allianz Hurling League
Allianz Hurling League Division Two
Courtesy of GAA.ie
Kildare 2-28
Kerry 0-17
A Kildare side smarting from last week’s defeat in Ballycran had too much power for an inexperienced Kerry team at Cedral St. Conleth’s Park this afternoon, where Brian Dowling’s Lily Whites hit the net through Cathal Dowling in the fifth minute and never looked back.
Kerry manager John Griffin started with six debutants and introduced three more off the bench and while there were bright spots for the Kingdom, particularly when they rallied midway through the first half to cut a six-point lead back to three, Kildare always had more physical and scoring power at their disposal.
1-7 to 0-7 after 25 minutes became 1-14 to 0-8 at half-time, and while Kerry started the second half brightly with a point from Rory O’Mahony and another from substitute Seánie Buckley on the Dr. Crokes’ player’s first possession, the second goal of the game – scored by David Qualter after Louis Dee deflected Muiris Curtin’s shot – killed off their resistance.
Qualter ended the game with 1-12 while 11 other Kildare players got on the scoresheet, while Shane Conway scored 0-11 on his return to action for Kerry.
By Sinead Pigott Sun 2nd Feb
