Kildare get off to a winning start in Allianz Football League

Allianz Football League

Division 2

Round 1

Kildare 3-17 Meath 0-16

5 February 2017; Keith Cribbin of Kildare in action against Eamon Wallace of Meath during the Allianz Football League Division 2 Round 1 match between Meath and Kildare at Páirc Táilteann in Navan, Co. Meath. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Kildare welcomed themselves back into division 2 football with a bang after a 3-17 to 0-016 victory over Meath in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday 5th February.

Kildare got off to the perfect start when Ben McCormack beat Jack Hannigan for a goal just 13 seconds into the game followed by two excellent points from play from Dan Flynn and Paul Cribbin to put them into a 1-02 to 0-00 lead after five minutes.

Meath’s first score of the game came in the sixth minute with a point from Donal Lenihan but Kildare replied instantly with a points from Keith Cribbin and Kevin Feely to put them into a 1-04 to 0-01 lead after ten minutes. Donal Lenihan pointed from a free a minute later but Kildare replied once again with an excellent points from Niall Kelly and Paul Cribbin to put them seven points clear after fourteen minutes. Kildare were dominating the game with Kevin Feely excelling in midfield and Eoin Doyle defending brilliantly and a goal from Niall Kelly put them into a comfortable ten point lead in twenty second minute. Cillian O’Sullivan pointed for Meath in the twenty fourth minute but Neil Flynn replied a minute later for Kildare when he pointed from a free. Donal Lenihan converted a free for Meath in the twenty eight minute followed by a brilliant point from play from Alan Forde and Meath were now coming into the game. Graham Reilly and Donal Lenihan added points to leave six points between the teams. Cian O’Sullivan had a great goal chance saved by Mark Donnellan just before the break to leave a half time score of 2-07 to 0-07.

Meath opened the scoring in the second half with a point from Donal Lenihan to reduce the deficit to five points. Kildare first point of the second half came a minute later with a well worked score from Ben McCormack. Graham Reilly added another good point from play to leave five between the teams but once again Kildare were back on the score sheet when captain Eoin Doyle made a great run from the half back line to knock over a score. Paul Cribbin kicked his third point of the game in the forty first minute to put Kildare seven points clear.

Graham Reilly kicked another good point from play but the crucial score the game came in the forty seventh minute when Fergal Conway won possession and laid off the ball to the lively Niall Kelly for his second goal. Keith Cribbin and Ben McCormack added points to put Kildare into a comfortable eleven point lead.

Graham Reilly and Neill Flynn traded points and Meath then kicked the next three scores of the game coming from Alan Forde, Bryan Menton and Cillian O’Sullivan to reduce the deficit to eight points. Neil Flynn kicked his third point of the game shortly followed by another point form Donal Lenihan. Niall Kelly, Ben McCormack, Donal Lenihan all added points from play in the closing stages of the game before Ollie Lyons kicked the final point in the seventy first minute to leave a final score of 3-17 to 0-16.

Team: Mark Donnellan, Mick O’Grady, David Hyland, Ollie Lyons, Johnny Byrne, Eoin Doyle, Keith Cribbin, Kevin Feely, Tommy Moolick, Fergal Conway, Niall Kelly, Paul Cribbin, Neil Flynn, Dan Flynn, Ben McCormack