Kildare hold off dogged UCD

Kildare withstood a determined challenge from a dogged UCD side as they secured a 0-16 to 1-11 O'Byrne Cup win at St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge this afternoon.

Kieran McGeeney's side blazed an early trail. Ronan Sweeney, Robert Kelly and Dermot Early were among those on target as Kildare pushed seven points clear in the opening quarter.

However, the students rallied with Longford's Francis McGee netting a goal for UCD before the break to leave the minimum between the sides at half-time at 0-9 to 1-5.

Kildare were reduced to 14 men late on following a second yellow card for midfielder Dermot Earley, but the Lilywhites held out for a two-point win and a quarter-final berth against Laois next weekend.