McDonald sparks decisive Carlow surge

CARLOW outscored Kildare by 0-6 to 0-2 in the final quarter to eventually pull clear in Newbridge.

The visitors made a blistering start and scored the first three points but overall the opening 30 minutes was an even affair.

Carlow led by a point by the time of the first goal in the 24th minute, although there was some debate about who scored it. Kevin McDonald’s free from the right appeared to be drifting wide before Kildare’s Cathal Dervan deflected the ball into his own net. Jack Sheridan, superb throughout for the home side, replied with a goal and the teams

were tied at 1-9 each at half-time. Carlow scored the first four points after the restart but it was Sheridan who hauled Kildare back into it when he blasted home a 20-metre free in the 42nd minute to level the scores.

It was still level with 11 minutes left but McDonald’s fifth free sparked a run of four points in three minutes that broke Kildare’s spirit.

SCORERS – Carlow: K McDonald 1-6 (1-5fs), CNolan0-5(1f),C Tracey 0-4, O Roberts 0-2, J Murphy 0-1, G Co ady0-1f,G Lawlor 0-1. Kildare:J She rid an2-9(1-7fs),EO’ He hir0-3fs,S Law lor0-1,D Brereton 0-1.

CAR LOW–D Jordan; A Casey, D To bin, P Cough lan,G Law lor,E Redmond, A Dunne; G Coady, K McDonald; J Murphy, S Brennan, O Roberts; C Treacy, C Nolan, S Whelan. Subs: A Amond for Brennan (45); P Connors for Roberts (53); J Wall for Coughlan (55); D Grennan for Murphy (60).

K IL DARE–J Keane; CG or mley,K Ma her, DB re re ton; D Greene, CG or don,FBass;SL aw lor,C Der van; A Kelly, E O’Hehir, MG ainey; CD owling, A Kelli her, J Sheridan. Sub: MM eli a for Gainey( h-t ); Odhran Loughran for Dowling (46); R Guilfoyle for Gormley (55); E Nolan for Greene (55).

REF – G Quilty (Kilkenny)