Carlow have caused the biggest shock of the 2018 championship so far as they sensationally got the better of Kildare in O’Connor Park Tullamore.
It was a remarkable performance by Carlow with Paul Broderick kicking ten points throughout in a game where they didn’t shoot a single wide.
For Kildare it's hard to know where they turn now as they continue their winless run having not won a competitive game since last June.
Carlow continued where they left off in their opening round victory over Louth by going two points to the good in as many minutes as firstly Broderick kicked over after finding space from a storming Sean Gannon run before Darragh Foley extended the lead with a fine effort off the outside of the boot.
In between those points Kildare had a goal chance of sorts when a Fergal Conway shot rebounded off the post but neither Kevin Feely or Eanna O’Connor were quick enough to the rebound and Carlow cleared their lines.
Broderick extended the lead for the Barrowsiders with a free before Kildare went into the lead for the first time in the 6th minute when a dropping Cribbin shot came back off the chest of Robbie Molloy in goal and Daniel Flynn was there like a light to palm to the net.
Carlow weren’t down for long though and five minutes later they had a goal of their own and like Kildare’s it was quite fortuitous as a long range free from Daniel St Ledger evaded everyone including Mark Donnellan and found its way to the net.
Cribbin kicked his second point in response before Niall Kelly was brought down in the square for a penalty which Eanna O’Connor took but his tame attempt was dealt with by Molloy.
Keith Cribbin and Sean Gannon then exchanged scores before Turlough O’Brien’s men took command for the rest of the half with a quartet of Broderick frees sending them into the break to a rousing reception from the Carlow supporters leading 1-8 to 1-3.
Carlow continued their impressive streak within seconds of the resumption to go six ahead when Broderick spring heeled David Hyland before kicking brilliantly over.
Kildare managed to stay in touch with a pair of fine points from play by Kevin Flynn as well as a brace of frees by Kevin Feely.
Carlow were cool and composed and belied their underdogs tag with Broderick again punishing Kildare indiscipline to land two more frees to go 1-12 to 1-7 clear entering the final ten minutes.
Flynn and Feely got the gap back to three but Carlow were superb and in Broderick they had a real star on the frees and he kicked his tenth point in response.
Paul Cribbin did reply for Kildare but after Mick O’Grady was sent off on a second bookable defence the race had run on Cian O’Neill’s men.
Broderick got another free before corner back Conor Lawler put the icing on the cake when he got forward for a late goal as Carlow secured a famous win.
Carlow: R Molloy; C Crowley, S Redmond, C Lawlor 1-0; J Morrissey, D St Ledger 1-0, C Moran 0-1; S Murphy, E Ruth; S Gannon 0-1, D Foley 0-1, D Walshe; P Broderick 0-11 (0-9fs), D O'Brien, J Murphy.
Subs: D Moran for Crowley 48 mins, C Lawler for Walsh 54 mins, L Walker for O’Brien 64 mins, BJ Molloy for D Foley 75 mins.
Kildare: M Donnellan; P Kelly, D Hyland, M O'Grady; J Byrne, E Doyle, K Flynn 0-2; K Feely 0-3 (0-3fs), P Cribbin 0-3; F Conway, K Cribbin 0-1, P Brophy; E O'Connor, D Flynn 1-1, N Kelly.
Subs: C Healy for O’Connor 29 mins, D Slattery for K Cribbin 53 mins, T Moolick for Brophy 60 mins, E Callaghan for Kelly 66 mins.
Ref: C Reilly (Meath)
