A 'freak accident' left a motorcyclist injured on the M7, Naas District Court heard.

The 23-year-old  man appeared before Naas District Court charged with the dangerous opening of a vehicle door, at Bóthair Philip, Kill, on January 23, 2017.

Sgt Jim Kelly outlined how at 5.29pm, the driver of the car 'felt fatigued'.

The accused opened the door of the car intending to take over driving when the door hit a passing motorcyclist.

Evidence was heard how the motorcyclist suffered a broken leg.

Judge Desmond Zaidan asked if the motorcyclist had been 'weaving in and out of traffic.'

Sgt Kelly said that the motorcyclist was driving up between two lines of static traffic on the M7.

Defence Barrister Sarah Connolly said: "The driver was fatigued, it went horribly wrong. It is desperate that the motorcyclist got injured."

Judge Desmond Zaidan said that it was a 'freak accident.'

He said: "People should be careful but it is common to see motorcyclists who come out of nowhere in traffic, they would give you a fright. It is a most unusual case."

Judge Zaidan convicted and fined the accused €400.

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Work will commence on the new Endoscopy Unit at Naas Hospital in 2019, according to information provided by the Department of Health to Kildare North politician Emmet Stagg.

The long mooted upgrade to the hospital has been discussed at length, but the HSE have included it in their 2018-2022 Capital Programme which will help fund the €17M development.

"The Project includes the long sought after New Endoscopy Unit, a New Physical Medicine Unit, a New Physical Therapy Unit, New Oncology Services and Day Procedure Department," stated Mr Stagg.

"Planning Permission for the project was granted on December 22, 2014 and despite repeated promises by Ministers for Health the project has not progressed."

"The HSE have now advised that funding for the project is included in the HSE's 2018-2022 Capital Programme and it is anticipated that construction will commence in 2019. The HSE did state that this was subject to the availability of capital funding and the progress of other priority projects."

No date in 2019 has been given for the estimated start time of the project.

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This interview was conducted with Tanya Johnson ahead of the All-Ireland final against Athenry, which was originally scheduled for Sunday March 4 but was pushed back due to snow.

Johnstownbridge are on the type of roll that most can only dream of, an hour and change away from a third AIB All-Ireland Club Camogie title in a row.

Remaining grounded is critical to maintaining that type of a winning spree. So too, is ambition.

They were impatient to test themselves at a higher level, and a little frustrated to have to compete in the Junior Championship again last season, having won it already.

They finally made the step up after retaining their crown and now, have only Galway representatives Athenry between them and a glorious debut.

Along the way, they have accounted for last year’s finalists, getting the better of champions Myshall (Carlow) in the Leinster Final, and the runners-up Eglish (Tyrone) in the All-Ireland Semi-Final.

Of course Myshall are old acquaintances.

“Three years ago they beat us in a Leinster Final, the year after beating us in a Leinster Semi” recalls JTB captain, Tanya Johnson. “So this year, we knew what to expect. They’re a good team, they’d have more experience than we do of playing on bigger pitches, girls there a lot longer than us.

“We knew it was gonna be tough this year. It was pure dogged, nothing was easy. You can’t take anything away from Myshall or Eglish. Myshall won it last year and in a way, you’re looking at them after coming up from Junior and thinking you can do it too.”

It took Johnstownbridge some time to establish themselves, facing serious stumbling blocks. Myshall went on to take the AIB All-Ireland Championship both years after overcoming the Kildare outfit. And when they moved up to Intermediate level, it was Kilmessan that scuppered their dreams.

The Meath champions went all the way that way too, so the message was clear. If they could just get the Leinster monkey off their backs, who knew what might unfold? They are in a new place now. Quite literally.

Siobhan Hurley breaks the hurley of Shauna Jordan in the All-Ireland semi-final

“Playing in Croke Park is gonna be completely different, after coming up from Junior. But the team is the same and we sort of know what’s coming. Athenry might have a bit more experience but I think we’re ready. All we can do is our best when we get up there.

“What we’re saying is that it’s the same pitch as is in Johnstown. There’s four white lines either side of the pitch and the minute you cross that you’re with your teammates. It doesn’t matter who’s in the stands, you’re with the same girls you’ve been with for the last seven years through Kildare championships, Leinsters and All-Irelands.

“I know everyone wants to be there but it’s a game, 60 minutes to win an All-Ireland Final. We’re trying to drum that into the girls now. It’s a great day and all, but all it is is 60 minutes that you have to knuckle down to.

“Enjoy the preparation. Any team would kill for it this time of year, to be getting ready for Croke Park but it’s only a game at the end of the day. We have to win the game.”

The weather could play a big part in what unfolds this weekend but after encountering testing elements against Eglish, they will not fret. They may not have scored in the second half, facing into a ferocious gale, but they never lost their composure.

“In the first half, the forwards did what they had to do, get the scores on the board. The wind was a serious factor, you couldn’t say it wasn’t. We went on the defensive, we knew what we had to do, just crowd it out from the half-way line in and it worked.

“It was dogged. Eglish are a very good team and we knew that. They had the experience of being in Croke Park last year and would have been driven to get back and try win it this time, so it was always going to be a huge test.”

An experienced goalkeeper, who has worn the No 1 jersey at inter-county level too, Johnson clearly relishes being captain of this particular group.

“It was a big step up but sure it’s a privilege. I remember Dick Flanagan ringing me to say the girls had voted for me to be captain. It’s just a huge honour. It’s a great team of girls. Everybody gets on.

“Some clubs you’d hear the cliques and everything but not Johnstown. Johnstown is a big family. I know that’s cliché but you’re appreciated by every single person in the club, there’s never a bad word said, nobody ever gives out about anybody, there’s no real issues. Everybody gets them out on the table and everything is said.

“It’s a great club.”

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Gardai in Dublin have arrested a man and a woman following the seizure of drugs worth an estimated €1.4 million.

The bust was made in the Kilmainham area of the capital at an apartment complex, where a mixture of cannabis and cocaine was discovered yesterday.

The raid was made as part of ongoing investigations being conducted by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau supported by the Special Crime Task Force, targeting serious and organised criminal activity in the Dublin Region.

A male aged 48 and a female aged 32 were arrested and are currently detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 as amended at Kevin Street and Kilmainham Garda Stations.

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By Kim O'Leary

On Wednesday 21^st March 2018, over 260 students from schools across Ireland will take part in the AIB Build A Bank Challenge National Final in the RDS Dublin.

The finalists were chosen after competing in the regional finals which took place in Dublin, Cork and Athlone in February. The AIB Build A Bank Challenge National Final will be hosted by Camogie Player and Dancing with the Stars hopeful, Anna Geary.

The AIB Build a Bank Challenge is a year-long programme for Transition Year students, which gives them the opportunity to run an operational bank while exploring innovation, creativity and business management. The programme also encourages students to give back to their school and community. The programme is now in its 16th year, with over 800 students from 132 schools across Ireland taking part this year.

All the teams participating work with their communities and a variety of charities including Focus Ireland, the Irish Heart Foundation, St. Vincent de Paul and Autism Ireland.

Among the 48 finalist teams in the National Final are students from Athy Community College, Kildare. As part of the AIB Build A Bank Challenge programme, students from Athy Community College held a bake sale which raised €200 for charity Youth4Piece.

Students who participate in the AIB Build A Bank Challenge will also join 5,000 second level students attending the AIB Future Sparks Festival in the RDS on Thursday, 22nd March 2018. The festival will consist of hands-on workshops, inspirational talks and panel discussions with thought leaders from a broad range of industries across sport, music, food, entertainment, technology and entrepreneurship. Among the line-up are 45 leaders in business and young entrepreneurs who will inspire students and show them the power of their potential.

For more details, please visit aib.ie/build-a-bank

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The death has occurred of Fergus PERSSE, Clonfert Stud, Maynooth, Kildare

Age 27 years, sole surviving quintuplet. To the inexpressible grief of his heartbroken parents Sandy and Liz, his sisters Lauren and Isabel, his grandparents Edwin and Esther McLoughlin, his aunts, uncles and many cousins and friends.

Everyone welcome to call to his home on Saturday and Sunday. (W23W8P4). Funeral Service on Monday at 12 o'clock in St. Michael and All Angels Church, Millicent, Clane, Co. Kildare followed by burial in Confey Cemetery, Leixlip .Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to St. Vincent's Hospital Oncology Unit.

The death has occurred of Brendan (Beno) O'SULLIVAN, Sarto Park, Naas, Kildare

In the tender care of the staff of Mill Lane Manor Nursing Home, Naas. Beloved husband of the late Betty and father of Rory, Sharon and Brendan. Sadly missed by his loving family, sisters Dolores and Stany, daughter-in-law Elaine, son-in-law Padraic, grandchildren Caoimhe, Ben, Aoibheann, Matthew, Philip and Lauren, brother-in-law Pat, sister-in-law Christine, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Reposing at The George Mullins Funeral Home, Kilcullen Road, Naas on Monday from 3pm with removal at 6pm to arrive at the Church of Our Lady and St. David, Naas at 6.30pm. Funeral on Tuesday morning after 10am Mass to St. Corban's Cemetery, Naas.

The death has occurred of Tony O'SHEA, Ballyroe, Grangemellon, Athy, Kildare

Fomerly of Knocknacree, Castledermot Died on 15th March surrounded by his loving family. Deeply regretted by his three children Anita, Anthony and Marie and his wife Theresa, brother Seamus, sisters Shelia and Mai, sons-in-law Kieran and Rory, Sharon, Anthony's partner, nieces, nephews, relatives and his many friends.

Reposing at his home from 1pm on Saturday with Rosary at 8:30pm. Removal on Sunday at 11.15am to The Church of The Assumption, Castledermot arriving for Requiem Mass at 12.15pm ollowed by burial in Coltstown Cemetery.

HOUSE PRIVATE ON SUNDAY MORNING PLEASE.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to The Friends of Naas Hospital. Donation Box in Church.

The death has occurred of Mary O'CONNOR (née Hickey), Celbridge, Kildare / Palmerstown, Dublin / Rahan, Offaly

O'CONNOR, Mary (née Hickey), (Celbridge, Co. Kildare, formerly of Palmerstown, Dublin 20 and Killeranny, Rahan, Co. Offaly) March 15th 2018 (Peacefully) in the most wonderful care of the staff at Maynooth Community Care Unit. Beloved wife of the late John. Sadly missed by her loving daughters Evelyn and Priscilla, brother Frank, son-in-law John, grandchildren John-David and Miriam, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbours and many friends.

Reposing at Cunningham’s Funeral Home, Ardclough Road, Celbridge on Monday evening (Mar 19) from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Removal to St. Patrick’s Church, Celbridge on Tuesday morning (Mar 20) arriving for Requiem Mass at 11.00am followed by burial in Donacomper Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to the Simon Community.

The death has occurred of Keith MCCARTHY, Brackna, Castlemitchell, Athy, Kildare

Keith (Wright) McCarthy, Brackna, Castlemitchell, Athy , unexpectedly on 15th March 2018. Dearly beloved son of Sandra and Kevin and much loved brother of Shauna. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family. His heartbroken parents, sister Shauna, his special and much loved great Uncle Joe, Nana Margaret, Uncles Kevin, Martin, Sean and Niall, Aunts Michelle, Mary, Valerie, and Cora, cousins, extended family, neighbours and all his friends.

Keith will repose at his home from 5pm this Saturday evening with recital of the Rosary at 8.30pm.

Removal from his home on Monday 9th to arrive at St. Michael’s Parish Church, Athy for 12 noon Funeral Mass, internment to follow in Churchtown Cemetery, Athy

The death has occurred of James (Jim) KELLY, St. Brigid's Park, Ballymore Eustace, Kildare / Kilcullen, Kildare

Kelly, James (Jim), St. Brigid’s Park, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare and late of Nicholastown, Kilcullen. 14th March 2018. Husband of the late Judy and loving father of Brian, Martine and Denise. Will be dearly missed by his family, daughter-in-law Paula, son-in-law Brian, grandchildren Debie, Adam, Max and Amelia, brother Jack, sisters Martha, Judy and Margo, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family, relatives and friends.

Reposing at his home on Saturday 2.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. House private on Sunday morning. Removal Sunday morning to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballymore Eustace arriving for 11.30 Funeral Mass followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Barretstown. Donation box at the Church.

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The second annual Dawn Walk will be taking place in Kildare Town on April 28.

The event is organised by Teach Dara Community and Family Centre.

Fund wil go towards Pieta House and proceeds will help provide accessible immediate counseling for those affected by suicide and those facing challenges.

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Emergency services are on standby in Kildare this weekend in preparation for another flurry of snow that is expected to fall in the next 24 hours.

Kildare County Council convened a meeting of their Severe Weather Assessment Team met at 10am this morning after Met Éireann issued a Status Orange level weather warning for snow-ice in Kildare.

Kildare County Council’s response teams including roads, water, fire, civil defence are on standby to deal with the impact of any severe weather.

The council have said that the Severe Weather Assessment Team will continue to review operations and will re-convene tomorrow morning.

Further updates will be published on our website http://kildare.ie/countycouncil, Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about being prepared for adverse weather conditions, visit http://kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/EmergencyNewsandInformation

Motorists are urged to continue to exercise caution on all roads when driving

The Peter McVerry Trust, on behalf of Kildare County Council, will be continue to provide shelter for people sleeping rough during the severe weather conditions.The freephone number for this service is 1800 804 307.

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Naas Athletic Club, in association with Grant Thornton, are proud to host the inaugural Streets of Naas 5km road race on Easter Sunday, April 1st at 1pm.

The organisers said they were honoured to remember Sheena Walsh at this year’s race, a wonderful and much missed member of our community. A specially commissioned prize will be presented to the race’s winner.

The AAI measured and permitted route takes you through the town’s main street and surrounds. Runners, joggers and walkers are all welcome.

Individual on line entry is €15 or  €20 on the day if not sold out. Social and Club team prizes are up for grabs Team Entry is €50  for a team of 4 – on line entry only.

Online entry through myrunresults.com

Number collection is 11 – 12:30pm in The Town Hall with the race start time 1pm sharp at Poplar Square.  

Cash prizes for top 3 male and female, and the following age categories (outside the top 3) O40, O50, O60 . There are also Social Team and Club Team prizes with a technical running tshirt and water bottle for all.

Refreshments and Prize giving will be  in the Town Hall after the race’s completion. This will be  followed by the Naas Easter Parade at 3 pm.

All funds are going towards upgrading our track facilities.

With a limited field of 300 don’t delay to register. So go on! Earn that Easter egg and join us for what will undoubtedly be a great addition to the running calendar.

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Maynooth GAA Club has applied for planning permission for the construction of a new single storey prefabricated building (area 143.5m2) on the grounds of Maynooth GAA on the Moyglare Road.

The proposed building will be used as meeting rooms or lecture rooms enabling Maynooth GAA to provide courses such as child protection,
coaching and first aid in evening and weekend hours.

The spaces will be used as a playschool during day time hours.

The proposed building includes; two classrooms, office, storage, staff kitchen, other ancillary accommodation.

The development also includes the provision of an outdoor play area.

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A small convenience store in Robertstown is up for sale, and the sellers are welcoming bids in an auction type process to arrange the selling of the property.

The Quick Pick Convenience Store, which is a large building set over 422 sq metres, is being offered at bids of over €195,000.

Leinster Property Auction in partnership with Donnelly Little Wright RE/MAX Partners are offering th premises, which has 190 sq. mtrs of retail space with a kitchen, open plan display area, toilets and a large store to the rear. It also comes with a full liquor licence.

The property listing says that it is in good condition with a small bit of modernisation required. Commercial rates for the retail unit are €5,700 per annum.

There is ample parking surrounding the property, and its village centre location is certainly an advantage.

Any successful bidder is required to pay a 10% deposit and contracts are signed immediately on acceptance of a bid.

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Kildare County Council have been asked to write to Leo Varadkar and ask why the county was omitted from the government's Ireland 2040 National Development Plan.

The new plan has included things such as getting rid of petrol and diesel cars in the coming years, establishing greater healthcare services in hospitals across the country, and improving roads in Ireland.

However, Cllr Mark Lynch has been critical of the plan and pointed out that county Kildare has been omitted from the government's thinking. The planned Athy Distributor Road and the upgrades to the M7 were already well in place before the announcement of the new national framework claimed Cllr Lynch, who is proposing a motion to the next meeting of the Kildare County Council to write to government officials.

"Considering the omission of County Kildare from the Ireland 2040 National Development Plan in terms of new critical transport plans or projects (M7 and Athy Distributor Road, etc. already announced multiple times) and the large projected growth of the county within this period, that the council writes to the relevant Ministers and An Taoiseach asking them how the county is expected to handle the significant increase in population within this period as all transport infrastructure is already at capacity," read Cllr Lynch's motion.

It will be discussed at a meeting of KCC on Monday March 25.

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A firm is seeking 10 year permission for a solar farm spanning over 47 hectares near Celbridge.

Elgin Energy Services Ltd wants to instal photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames in
rows on the site.

The Dublin City-based company is also proposing the construction of a substation with two storage containers and 25 invertor stations.

Perimeter fencing with 23 mounted CCTV Cameras are also planned.

The proposed development will be located at Killeenlea, Ardrass Lower and Killadoon,

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

Kildare County Council have signed a contract with local construction company MDY Construction Ltd to build 32 new homes in the Dunmurray Rise area of Kildare Town.

The council have assigned the company, who are based in Staplestown, Naas, to deliver the 32 homes, which is funded by the Government under the Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness and it is anticipated that the units will be delivered early in 2019.

"Kildare County Council is delighted to be working with MDY Construction, an experienced contracting company who have demonstrated the delivery of quality building projects in the Irish Construction Industry," read a statement from the council.

These properties when constructed will be A rated homes and will comprise of the following unit mix;

• 6 no. one bed, terraced, single storey houses,
• 5 no. two bed, semi-detached and terraced, two storey houses,
• 17 no. three bed, semi-detached and terraced, two storey houses,
• 3 no. four bed, detached and semi-detached, two storey houses,
• 1 no. three bed, detached, two storey house with a one bed single storey family flat attached.

Pictured at the contract signing, above are (seated) Donal Doyle of MDY Construction, Mayor of Kildare Cllr. Martin Miley Jun., Peter Carey CE, and Tadhg McDonnell, KCC (standing) Emmet Walsh of Deaton Lysaght, Architects; Mary Cosgrove of MDY Constriction; Gerard O’Malley of Tom McNamara & Partners, Quantity Surveyors; Letita Hanratty and David Creighton of KCC.

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A young man told Naas District Court that he gets anxiety due to his job in a call-centre.

The young man faced charges before the court in relation to being found with €20 worth of cannabis.

He told the court that he no-longer smokes cannabis.

He said: "I smoked dope to get me chilled."

Defence Barrister Aisling Murphy told the court how the young man does not want to get a conviction as he wants to visit his sister in Australia.

Defence outlined to the court how the young man earns €180 per week in a call -centre job.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said: "I will give you a chance."

He imposed the Probation Act Section 1(1).

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Kildare County Council have been asked to acknowledge the heroic efforts of local volunteers during the recent snow storms in the county.

It was just two weeks' ago that Kildare found itself under several feet of snow in many areas, and members of the Gardaí, HSE, Civil Defence, KCC and countless volunteers all put their shoulders to the wheel to get the county moving again, and to help those in distress during the storm.

Councillors Martin Miley and Deborah Callaghan have tabled a joint motion ahead of the next meeting to recognise the work of those who helped out, while also asking that the government give funding to cover the cost of emergency work that needs to be carried out in Kildare.

Their motion read;

"That the council compliments all those involved in the recent severe weather event i.e. councils own staff, Gardaí, HSE, Civil Defence, the farming community and the wider community at large for their help and community support during the difficult weather conditions and that the council ensures that central government provides the additional funding to cover the cost to Kildare County Council for the emergency works carried out and that additional funding is made available to repair roads in the
county that are disintegrating as a result of the severe weather conditions."

Cllr Carmel Kelly has asked that the council make arrangements to provide compensation to those who helped the clean up job.

Her motion read;

"That the council acknowledge the heroic efforts of volunteers to clean up and rescue people during the recent snow storms and that arrangements are made for suitable recognition including compensation, where appropriate."

The next meeting of the council is on Monday March 26.

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€400,000 will be set aside by the National Transport Authority to help improve the infrastructure around Maynooth.

The funds were allocated to Kildare County Council by the NTA for Phase 5 of the Maynooth North South Corridor Scheme which will see improvements to Mill Street, Maynooth, including the provision of a pedestrian bridge on the Manor Mills Shopping Centre side of Mill Street.

Kildare County Council stated at the latest meeting of the Maynooth Municipal District that the footbridge would be erected, though no timeframe for the commencement of the project has been announced as of yet.

Speaking about the allocation of funds, Kildare North Labour candidate, Emmet Stagg, said;

"A separate pedestrian bridge to the west of the existing William Bridge will be provided and this will provide a more convenient and safe walking route in this highly pedestrianised area.

"The provision of the new pedestrian bridge will in turn allow for the enhancement of the cycle lane on Mill Street. The council will commence a detailed design of the scheme."

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Kerry    0-19

Kildare 0-14

Allianz NFL Division 1

Kerry condemned Kildare to a sixth straight defeat in Division 1 on Saturday night as the reigning champions turned on the style as they eased to a comprehensive victory in Austin Stack Park. The Lilywhites were in need of a win to have any hope of avoiding relegation from the top tier, but Kerry, who had slight fears of the drop themselves, put together a composed display to ensure that their visitors would be playing Division 2 football in 2019.

On a bitterly cold night in Tralee, those of a Kildare persuasion who toasted Ireland’s Grand Slam victory were hoping to follow that up with what would have been a rare Lilywhite win in the Kingdom, but any hopes of that were left hanging by a thread at the break thanks to the 0-11 to 0-5 half-time deficit the away side faced. Add to that the loss of Kevin Feely through injury in the 28^th minute, and the task was a mountainous one for Cian O’Neill’s men.

Daniel Flynn turned in a scintillating scoring performance, notching six fine points from play, but that was the main positive for Kildare despite the Lilywhites showing much more fight in adversity than they did in their last game against Mayo.

The first 20 minutes of this game summed up Kildare’s season as a whole so far as they showed the propensity to dominate a game and look highly threatening, yet still fall behind and be picked off on multiple occasions. There were encouraging signs early on as Niall Kelly, Fergal Conway and Danie Flynn all looked lively, but it was Kerry who opened the scoring with a point from Barry John Keane following a free-flowing move. Kildare then hit their stride with three lovely points in a row, the first of which came from Kevin Feely after he traded a one-two with Niall Kelly from a free.

Tommy Moolick then sent the Lilywhites into the lead when he pointed at the end of a lighting quick counterattack, before Kelly angled over a tidy point after Kerry lost the resultant kickout.

That was as good as it ever got for Kildare though, and, like against Mayo six days previous, the visitors lost their way and the opposition assumed complete control. Kerry went on to kick 10 out of the net 11 points, sending them into the half-time break with a near unassailable lead. David Clifford gave Mick O’Grady a torrid night at the back, running the Celbridge man all over the place and showing all the class that he possesses, while also kicking two fabulous points from frees and getting on the end of a wonderful pass from Dáithí Casey to knock over a score from play.

In the Kingdom’s period of dominance, Micheál Burns, Kevin McCarthy, Paul Geaney, Paul Murphy and Casey all raised white flags with efforts from play, while Daniel Flynn’s fisted point was the only resistance that Cian O’Neill’s side could offer in that spell. They did at least close out the half with a score as the Johnstownbridge man sent over a point in the 33^rd minute, though it looked at least a yard wide.

It was last year’s All-Star nominee who led the charge for Kildare in the second half, kicking some sumptuous points from play to keep the Lilywhites within touching distance of their opponents, but Kerry were always capable of taking enough scores to keep their noses in front.

After Geaney opened the second half scoring for Kerry it was the away side that kicked the next three points, with Flynn starting and finishing that spree either side of a lovely point from Ben McCormack. Kerry, sensing a slight uprising, responded with a neat score from Keane, but another booming score from Flynn ruled that one out. Paddy Brophy then floated over an exceptional score to narrow the gap to three points, but Kerry reasserted their control thereafter through points from Clifford and substitute David Moran. Brophy was issued a black card during that spell for a needless foul on Paul Murphy, and despite Flynn adding a sixth point to his tally and Fionn Dowling lofting over a nice score, Kerry ran home comfortable winners in the end.

Scorers for Kerry: D Clifford 0-6(4f), P Geaney 0-3(1f), K McCarthy, S Murphy, D Casey, BJ Keane 0-2 each, P Murphy, M Burns and D Moran 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: D Flynn 0-6, F Dowling, M O'Grady, N Kelly, P Kelly, B McCormack, K Feely, T Moolick, P Brophy 0-1 each.

Kerry

Shane Murphy; Brian Ó’Beaglaoich, Jason Foley, Ronan Shanahan; Paul Murphy, Peter Crowley, Fionn Fitzgerald; Jack Barry, Barry O’Sullivan; Michael Burns, Dáithí Casey, Kevin McCarthy; David Clifford, Paul Geaney, Barry John Keane.

Kildare

Mark Donnellan; Peter Kelly, David Hyland, Mick O’Grady; Johnny Byrne, Eoin Doyle, Kevin Flynn; Kevin Feely, Tommy Moolick; Fergal Conway, Keith Cribbin, Paddy Brophy; Ben McCormack, Daniel Flynn, Niall Kelly.

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Gardai are investigating an armed robbery of the Topaz filling station in Kill at 10pm on Monday night.

Witnesses said that one man stood guard at the entrance with a hurley stick while another man went inside with a hammer in his hand.

The till was robbed in the incident and a man left with a quantity of cash.

Gardai said another man was waiting in a silver coloured Toyota Avensis car parked nearby.

The vehicle had the registration number 07 D.

It's not known which direction the car travelled afterwards the incident.

Naas Gardai are appealing for any witnesses or information in relation to the robbery.

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Mayor Martin Miley and a member of Kildare County Council were in New York this week to help promote Kildare as a tourist destination within the States.

Mayor Miley was joined by Niall Morrissey for the visit to the US this St Patrick's Day weekend, where they teamed up with executives from Tourism Ireland to learn about the board's promotional programme in the US for 2018.

The United States is the second-largest market for tourism to the island of Ireland. 2017 was the fifth record-breaking year in a row for Irish tourism from the US, when we welcomed a record 1.83 American visitors. Tourism Ireland recently launched a new strategy to continue to grow tourism from the United States, setting out ambitious targets which will see the island of Ireland welcome 2 million American visitors per year by 2021, representing growth of +23%; and will see revenue generated by American holidaymakers increase by +33%, to €1.37 billion per year.

“We were delighted to meet with the representatives of Kildare County Council and to have the opportunity to brief them about the extensive promotional programme we are undertaking in the United States this year,” said Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America.

“Last year, we welcomed a record 1.83 million North American visitors to the island of Ireland. In 2018, we are confident that our strategy – combined with more airline seats than ever before from the US, as well as the strength and competitiveness of the vacation experience right around the island of Ireland – will deliver further growth. Our aim is to deliver a +5% increase in visitor numbers and +7% increase in revenue from North America in 2018.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.