Kildare 2-10
Cork 1-9
KILDARE CLAIMED A notable triumph tonight in Páirc Uí Rinn as they moved to the top of Division 1 of the Allianz Football League against a Cork side who finished with 14 men.
The second-half dismissal of defender Damien Cahalane was a major setback for Cork and they ended up succumbing to their second successive loss.
The reigning league champions are now rooted to the bottom of the table after suffering defeat on home soil to the Lilywhites.
Kildare were able to bask in the glow of success for the second successive Saturday night as they built on last week’s triumph over Donegal in Croke Park.
Late goals from substitutes Niall Kelly and Paddy Brophy propelled Kildare to success as they eventually wore down Cork’s challenge.
Cork had made three pre-match changes with Eoin O’Mahony, Tomas Clancy and John O’Rourke parachuted into the side instead of Paudie Kissane, Alan O’Connor and Pearse O’Neill. On the Kildare side, Eoghan O’Flaherty started instead of Tomas O’Connor.
The Rebels had opened brightly and lead by 1-3 to 0-3 after Ciaran Sheehan had billowed the net and by the interval, Cork were still ahead by 1-5 to 0-6.
However a key turning point developed when Cahalane was dismissed after the interval but Cork still fought on with Donncha O’Connor and John O’Rourke notching points that helped them lead 1-9 to 0-9.
But Kildare finished strongly with man-of-the-match Padraig O’Neill, Mikey Conway and Tomas O’Connor all excelling.
And Kelly’s 61st minute goal and Brophy’s 67th minute strike to the net sealed the victory for Kieran McGeeney’s side.
Scoring
Kildare: Mikey Conway 0-4, Niall Kelly, Paddy Brophy 1-0 each, Seanie Johnston, Padraig O’Neill 0-2 each, John Doyle (0-1f), Daniel Flynn 0-1 each.Cork: Ciaran Sheehan 1-0, Donncha O’Connor, Colm O’Neill 0-3 (0-1f) each, Paul Kerrigan, Aidan Walsh, John O’Rourke 0-1 each.
Kildare team: Shane Connolly; Ollie Lyons, Mick Foley, Hugh McGrillen; Emmet Bolton, Mikey Conway, Peter Kelly; Gary White, Padraig O’Neill; Brian Flanagan, Cathal McNally, Daniel Flynn; Seanie Johnston, Eoghan O’Flaherty, John Doyle.
Cork team:: Ken O’Halloran; Eoin Cadogan, Eoin O’Mahony, Michael Shields; Jamie O’Sullivan, Tom Clancy, Damien Cahalane; Graham Canty, Aidan Walsh; Fintan Goold, John O’Rourke, Ciaran Sheehan; Colm O’Neill, Donncha O’Connor, Paul Kerrigan.
Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare)
