Lilies rise to Croker occasion
Kildare 3-19 London Christy Ring Cup final 1-11
YOUTH was to the fore as Kildare captured the Christy Ring Cup in strong fashion, with a 14-point win over London at Croke Park.
Joe Quaid’s side never trailed as they delivered Christy Ring silverware for the second time, with a first final success since 2014.
Naas trio James Burke, Jack Sheridan and Shane Ryan led the Kildare charge, scoring all bar nine points of their sides tally, registering an impressive combined 3-10 over the contest.
Referee Patrick Murphy kept a tight reign on affairs, brandishing three red cards, with London duo Lee Murphy and Mark Dwyer, and Kildare’s Mark Grace dismissed – all in separate incidents.
Murphy was first to go just before half-time, after Kildare found the net through Sheridan to hand them a 1-7 to 0-5 advantage.
Joe Quaid’s side drove on, and by the interval opened up a six-point gap.
London struggled with their numerical disadvantage and managed just two points inside 13 minutes of the restart, as Kildare added 1-5, including Ryan’s goal.
Kildare must now turn their focus to facing Antrim in a Joe Mcdonagh Promotion/relegation playoff next weekend.