A dozen McDonald points gets Wexford's Leinster three-in-a-row bid off to great start against Kildare

Wexford 0-23
Kildare 0-14

Daragh Ó Conchúir reports from St Conleth’s Park

CONOR MCDONALD  PROVED the difference between the sides as champions Wexford overcame newcomers Kildare in the Bord Gáis Energy U21HC quarter-final at St Conleth’s Park.

The senior star proved too hot to handle for the hosts and finished with 12 points but it was his first-half contribution that was probably most important, as the hosts proved that they had what it took to compete at this level.

Kildare were competing in the ‘A’ championship for the first time having won last year’s All-Ireland B title and were far from awed early on.

They led twice in the opening quarter thanks to points from the excellent Gerry Keegan and Liam Power but even then, the signs were ominous as McDonald racked up the visitors’ first four scores, all from play.

The teams were level six times in all in the opening half but three points from McDonald, who finished the first half with eight, gave Wexford a 0-9 to 0-7 interval lead.

They imposed themselves in the second half, with McDonald receiving more scoring support, while Kildare were overly-reliant on Keegan’s accuracy from placed balls, although he did have a 54th minute penalty saved by Oliver O’Leary.

Gerry Keegan impressed for Kildare tonight. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Wexford: Conor McDonald 0-12 (0-4f), Kevin Foley, S Murphy, J O’Connor, P Sutton 0-2 each; S Donohoe, J Cash, C Dunbar 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: Gerry Keegan 0-9 (0-8f), P Moran 0-2; G Johnson, R Casey, L Power 0-1 each.

Wexford

1. Oliver O’Leary (Buffers Alley)

2. Simon Donohoe (Shelmaliers)
3. Liam Ryan (Rapparees)
4. Eoin Conroy (Naomh Eanna)

5. Andrew Kenny (Buffers Alley)
6. Jim White (Oylgate)
7. Jack O’Connor (St Martin’s)

8. Conor Devitt, (Ballyfad)
9. Tony French (Adamstown)

10. Padraig Foley (Crossabeg)
11. Peter Sutton (Oulart-the-Ballagh)
12. Sam Kelly (Crossabeg)

13. Shane Murphy (St James)
14. Conor McDonald (Naomh Eanna)
15. Kevin Foley (Rapparees)

Subs
17. Gavin Bailey (Ferns) for French (37)
19. Lar McDonald (Shamrocks) for White (41)
21. Cathal Dunbar (Ballygarrett)for Kelly (41)
20. James Cash (Shelmaliers) for Kenny (47)
22. Darragh Pepper (Rapparees) for Donohoe (55)
24. Billy Kelly (Bunclody) for P Foley (56)

Kildare

1. Paddy McKenna (Clane)

2. Paul Kelly (Celbridge)
3. Declan Flaherty (Coill Dubh)
4. Conor Gordan (Coill Dubh)

5. Gary Johnson (Éire Óg Corrachoill)
6. Kevin Murphy (Celbridge)
7. Declan Keane (Kilcock)

8. Evan Dempsey (Éire Óg Corrachoill)
9. Shane O’Flynn (Celbridge)

10. Brian Byrne (Naas)
11. Richie Whelan (St Laurence’s)
12. Gerry Keegan (Celbridge)

13. Liam Power (Éire Óg Corrachoill)
14. Niall Kenny (Celbridge)
15. Ryan Casey (Coill Dubh)

Subs
17. Cathal Egan (Clane) for Whelan (ht)
18. Danny Boyle (Éire Óg Corrachoill) for Kelly (34)
21. Shane Ryan (Clane) for Johnson (52)
24. Peter Moran (Naas) for Byrne (52)
19. Conor Martin (Clane) for Power (59)

Referee: Alfie Devine (Westmeath)

Originally published Wednesday at 21.09

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