Conneely on form as Kildalkey off to a flyer

It was all too easy for Kildalkey in Trim tonight as they opened their SHC campaign with a comprehensive 2-20 to 0-9 victory over Longwood.

An opening half that was tight and tense saw both sides reduced to 14 men after Sean Coloe was dismissed for Longwood in the 18th minute and seconds later Conor Kearney was red carded for Kildalkey in a separate incident.

Those dismissals didn't effect the contest and even though scores were at a premium it was Kildalkey who led by 0-9 to 0-6 at the interval.

Longwood had a chance to draw level two minutes after the resumption, but Ryan Moore was denied by superb defending from Brendan McKeon and David Conneely and from that let-off Kildalkey took over.

The 2019 champions outscored Longwood 2-11 to 0-3 in the second-half with Paddy Conneely excelling and Nicky Potterton also getting in on the goal scoring act.

Kildalkey will be concerned with hitting 19 wides over the hour, but there was no denying they were the better team.

SCORERS

Kildalkey - Paddy Conneely 1-6 two frees, one '65'; Conor Kearney 0-5 frees; Nicky Potterton 1-2; Mark Healy 0-3; David Harmon 0-1; Conor Fitzgerald 0-1; Paddy Potterton 0-1; Evan Fitzgerald 0-1.

Longwood - Anthony Healy 0-7 frees; Mickey Burke 0-1; Billy Hogan 0-1.

TEAMS

Kildalkey - Mark McCormack; Brendan McKeon, Gary Kelly, David Conneely; Mairtin Doran, David Harmon, Conor Fitzgerald; Patrick Potterton, Martin Healy; Conor Kearney, Paddy Conneely, Kevin McKeon; Nicky Potterton, Mark Healy, Evan Fitzgerald.

Longwood - Mark Kennedy; John Furey, Niall Mulvey, Ross Kerrigan; Joe Stenson, Sean Coloe, Billy Hogan; Gavin Griffin, Ryan Moore; Mickey Burke, Damien Healy, Karl Ennis; Aaron Ennis, Anthony Healy, Harry Hogan. Subs - Josh O'Brien for H Hogan, Tomas Coloe for K ennis both 47 mins, Bob Maguire for A Ennis 51m.

Referee - Derek Ryan (Na Fianna).