Red mist mars Kildare win

KILDARE won through to the O’Byrne Cup semi-final yesterday – they now play Louth – but the result was lost in the small print as seven players were sent off in an ill-tempered affair at O’Moore Park.

Five of those were sent packing after an ugly brawl in the 31st minute. Laois’ Kevin Meaney, Billy Sheehan and Peter O’Leary received their marching orders from referee Syl Doyle, along with Kildare duo, Johnny Doyle and Morgan O’Flaherty.

The melee began as referee Doyle delayed a throw-in and either missed or chose to ignore an exchange that left Kildare’s Ronan Sweeney on the floor. Hostilities escalated once play got under way and by the time the Wexford official finally restored order, only Kildare goalkeeper, Shane McCormack hadn’t converged on the Laois 20-metre line.