Kildare 1-18 Meath 1-6

A brilliant second half display from Kildare proved too much for Meath in this opening round of the Leinster MFC played in Stamullen.

The game started at a blistering pace with five scores in the opening six minutes. Tadgh Donlon got the scoreboard working for the visitors but from the resulting kick out Evan Kelly had the ball in the Kildare net after a well worked move. Cian McDevitt and Harry Donnelly had the game tied up two minutes later before Jack Doyle pushed the home side in front with a fine effort. 

A Mick O’Toole goal and and a Ruaidhri Lawlor point put Kildare in control but a brace from Oldcastle’s Pat Crawley kept Meath in touch. The early scoring burst slowed down and by the 20th minute Kildare were 1-5 to 1-3 in front. Lawlor, O’Toole and Luke Murray opened up a five point gap with minutes remaining. Crawley added his third before the break from a free as Kildare went to the dressing room four in front 1-8 to 1-4.

That lead was back out to five after five minutes of the second half when midfielder Evan Boyle sent over.

Jack Doyle replied for Meath before a three points from the impressive Harry Donnelly opened up a seven point lead after 15 minutes.

Once again Crawley replied for the Royals but from there on it was all Kildare. Niall Cronin’s charges added six points while Meath failed to raise a flag in the closing quarter as the Lilywhites recorded a comfortable 12 point victory.

Kildare scorers: Harry Donnelly 0-6, Mick O’Toole 1-1, Paddy Ryan and Ruaidhri Lawlor 0-2 each, Ronan Kelly 0-1, Tadgh Donlon 0-1, Cian McKevitt 0-1, Luke Murray 0-1, Evan Boyle 0-1, Austin Donegan 0-1, Brian Caffrey 0-1

Meath scorers: Pat Crawley 0-4, Evan Kelly 1-0, Jack Doyle 0-2

Referee Niall Ward

Tweet

Most Read Stories