Senior Hurlers overcome Kildare in Leinster Championship

DUBLIN 3-24 

KILDARE 1-19

Goals in either half from Fergal Whitely saw Dublin account for Kildare by eleven points in their Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Round 2 encounter at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon. 

The hosts struggled in terms of their accuracy initially but a Whitely goal in the 16th minute helped settle them and they dominated the closing stages of the first-half, scoring nine points on the bounce, to lead by 1-15 to 0-9 by the turnaround. 

Goals from Whitely and lively substitute David Purcell saw the hosts extend their advantage with Jack Sheridan netting a consolation goal for Kildare in the 61st minute. 

It was the hosts that started on the front foot with Cian O’Sullivan opening the scoring inside twenty seconds and a Donal Burke free soon after doubled their lead. 

While Conor Donohoe added to their advantage in the 4th minute, the hosts struggled for accuracy in near perfect conditions, allowing their opponents to slowly settle into the encounter. 

Jack Sheridan and Muiris Curtin popped over points by the 8th minute and despite Donohoe replying for Dublin, Kildare deservedly drew level through a Daire Guerin score and Sheridan’s first free of the half. 

Another free saw the Lilies take the lead towards the end of the first quarter but from their first goal chance, Dublin pounced as Whitely raced through before poking a scruffy finish beyond Paddy McKenna from close range. 

With Dan O’Meara proving an influential figure as Kildare’s sweeper, the visitors more than held their own with Sheridan, Caolan Smith and Guerin all on target as parity was restored by the 25th minute. 

Unfortunately, from a Kildare perspective, Guerin’s point proved their final score of the half as they subsequently fluffed whatever limited scoring opportunities that came their way.  

Donohoe, in particular, excelled throughout the first-half in addition to firing over four points from play. 

Those scores allowed the hosts to gradually seize control of matters towards the end of the half, with John Hetherton finding his groove with a trio of scores while O’Sullivan, Darragh Power and Donal Burke were also on target as Dublin led by double scores by the interval.

Dublin wasted little time in reaffirming their control upon the restart through a brace of early Donal Burke points before David Purcell entered the fray to bring fresh life to their attack. 

The directness of the Kilmacud Crokes player saw him create two chances for O’Sullivan before another arrived for Whitely to power home past McKenna for the second occasion. 

It was of scant surprise to see Purcell chip in with a goal of his own in the 49th minute, with Donohoe the architect with a powerful run down the middle and well-timed pass. 

The contest meandered to its inevitable conclusion but Kildare’s efforts were rewarded as Sheridan blasted home past Eddie Gibbons but was unable to do likewise from a penalty three minutes from time. 

Dublin’s next match will take place against Wexford on Saturday week in Wexford Park.      

Scorers – Dublin: D Burke 0-7 (5f); F Whitely 2-0; C Donohoe 0-4; David Purcell 1-0; J Hetherton 0-3; C O’Sullivan, R Hayes 0-2 each; C Crummey, C Burke, B Hayes, D Power, Dara Purcell, C Ó Riain 0-1 apiece.  Kildare: J Sheridan 1-10 (0-7f); D Guerin 0-3; D O’Meara, C Smith 0-2 each; M Curtin, D Melville 0-1 apiece.  

Dublin: E Gibbons; P Smyth, E O’Donnell, J Bellew; C Crummey, P Doyle, C Burke; C Donohoe, B Hayes; F Whitely, D Burke, D Power; Dara Purcell, J Hetherton, C O’Sullivan. Subs: David Purcell for Dara Purcell (42), R Hayes for Hetherton (51), L Rushe for Crummey (53), C Ó Riain for O’Sullivan (55), A Dunphy for Bellew (66). 

Kildare: P McKenna; S Leacy, R Boran, L O’Reilly; Conan Boran, D O’Meara; R Hogan, C McCabe; J Sheridan, D Guerin, D Qualter; G Keegan, M Curtin, C Smith. Subs: A Goss for Qualter (6), T Power for Curtin (40), D Melville for Dolan (44), J Travers for Hogan (49), E Ó Briain for Goss (58). 

Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim).