The sight of former Kilkenny All-Ireland winner Andy Comerford pacing the sidelines at St Conleth's Park, Newbridge helped to inspire his Kildare side to a facile 9-12 to 2-7 Kehoe Cup victory over DCU.
There was no doubt who the winners of this contest were going to be from the opening minutes onwards. Mark Moloney signalled early intent for Kildare when he crashed home the first goal in the third minute.
Comerford was impressed with his side's display. However, he knows that bigger tests lie ahead later in the year.
'The scoreline tells it all. It was one-sided at the edges but you can only beat what is put in front of you,' Comerford said afterwards.
'We are setting out game-plans at the moment and at the end of the day it's only January and we are only aiming for July and August when the serious competition starts.'
Kildare were fully in control and led by 2-07 to 0-00 midway through the first half with Oisin Lynch notching their second goal in the 16th minute while David Harney was also on song with four points for the hosts.
DCU's opening score came in the 19th-minute but the students were always second best and although Alan Campion helped to keep them in contention, Kildare held a 3-7 to 1-03 interval lead after a third goal.
That came from a Billy White penalty strike following a foul on Paul Divilly in the closing stages of the half.
DCU rallied on the restart with three points from Colm Coughlan but a goal-hungry Kildare never faltered and Alan Burke was rewarded for his good work in the opening half - during which he hit the crossbar twice - with a goal in the 47th minute to further extend Kildare's advantage.
The home side were now hitting goals from all angles with substitute Tony Murphy grabbing two goals in a short spell between the 54th and 57th minute, scores which were interspersed with a Paudie Reidy goal.
Kildare completed the rout near the end with their ninth goal as they finished comfortable winners and booked a semi-final spot against DIT next weekend.
Meanwhile, Carlow continued their good work under new manager Jim Green with a well-deserved 3-15 to 0-05 win over Longford this afternoon.
Carlow held a 1-05 to 0-01 lead after a half-an-hour with the goal coming from Des Murphy after just a minute's play. The full-forward kicked the ball to the net and had a chance of a second goal soon after but had his effort disallowed following a square ball.
The visitors could have been further in front at this stage but for the good work of Longford goalkeeper Paddy Cullen, who denied Carlow three further goal-scoring opportunities during the opening 35 minutes.
Carlow led by 1-12 to 0-02 interval lead and continued to play well on the restart with Seamus Murphy grabbing his side’s second goal following a pass from substitute Brian Murphy.
The visitors' hat-trick was completed five minutes later when Des Murphy netted again as an in-form Carlow charged through to the semi-finals.
RESULTS -
Kildare 9-12 DCU 2-7, Newbridge
Longford 0-5 Carlow 3-15, Longford
