Nolan the driving force in Kerry win

SHANE Nolan confirmed his under-age promise by blitzing Kildare’s defence for seven points from play as Kerry got their Christy Ring Cup campaign under way at Newbridge.

The Crotta man, allied with the ten points provided by Darragh O’Connell, enabled John Meyler’s men to claim the spoils.

The hosts put their recent troubles behind them under recently-appointed manager Willie Sunderland and led by a point until John Egan goaled in the 55th minute. Kerry followed with three points in as many minutes to give John Meyler’s men breathing space.

Tony Murphy did get a goal back in the dying minutes but Kerry maintained the upper hand.

Scorers for Kerry: D O’Connell 0-10 (4fs, 2 65s), S Nolan 0-7, J Egan 1-2, J Flaherty 0-2, J Casey, M Conway, L Boyle, D Dineen 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: M Fitzgerald 0-5 (4fs), T Murphy 1-2, L Quinn, D Harney 0-3 each, K Divilly, C Kelly, M Moloney 0-2 each, N Ó Muineacháin, B White 0-1 each.

KERRY: B Rochford; J Godley, T Murnane, C Harris, J Casey, M Conway, P O’Grady; D Dineen, J Egan; M Boyle, G O’Brien, S Nolan; D O’Connell, A Boyle, J Flaherty.

Subs: E Fitzgerald for Harris (inj. 3), A Royle for O’Grady (45), L Boyle for O’Brien (62), P O’Keeffe for Conway (67), B Murphy for Flaherty (70).

KILDARE: R Connolly; J Doran, P Reidy, F Ó Muineacháin; J Byrne, R Hoban, N Ó Muineacháin; K Divilly, B White; C Kelly, M Moloney, L Quinn; T Murphy, D Harney, M Fitzgerald.

Subs: E O’Neill for Byrne (54); T Byrne for White (58); K Waltzer for Murphy (69).

Referee: E Hasson (Derry).