NFL Div 3 Rd 3

Kildare v Wicklow

Wicklow 3 08 Kildare 0 12

Match report by Andrew Ryan, Wicklow.ie

Laura Hogan’s late second goal proved crucial, as Wicklow came away from Dunlavin GAA with a dramatic win over Kildare in a tense affair on Saturday afternoon. The hosts seemed to have the points wrapped up by half-time, after an early Laurie Ahern goal was followed up by Laura Hogan’s first of the day to give Wicklow an eight-point cushion at the interval.

However, Kildare dragged themselves back into the game in a second-half that saw them reduce the gap to just two points with a goal disallowed. Fortunately for James Kelly’s troops, Laura Hogan kept her cool to lob the goalkeeper in injury-time to give Wicklow their second win in three games.

The game in Dunlavin started the better for the visitors, as Kildare raced into an early three points to no-score lead through Mikaela McKenna (2), and Ciara Wheeler. However, before the match had reached four minutes,  Wicklow had turned the game back around through Laurie Ahern’s second goal of the season. Sarah Delahunt gathered possession in midfield, before lifting a delightful ball over the top of the Kildare corner-back into Laurie Ahern, who charged inside before poking the ball past Rebecca McGuirk.

Delahunt followed up that assist with a point of her own to put Wicklow in front, before her quick free was worked into Clodagh Fox, and then Laura Hogan, the latter of whom made no mistake to pop the ball over the bar.

Kildare managed fought tooth-and-nail to reduce the deficit, but found Wicklow in full flow. Minutes after getting her second point of the day, Hogan worked the ball onto Anna McGrath, who was pulled down an awarded the penalty by referee Jonathan Murphy.

While Amy Murphy saw her penalty saved, the resulting 45 resulted in another point as Hogan teed up Laurie Ahern.

Wicklow continued to dominate proceedings, with Amy Murphy and Sarah Delahunt providing service into the channel of the Kildare left corner-back. The pressure finally told four minutes from half-time, when a poor Kildare kick-out was retained by the energetic Evelyn Dean. She, in turn, worked the ball into Laura Hogan, who made no mistake in dispatching the ball into the back of McGuirk’s net, sending Wicklow into half-time with a commanding 206 to 0-04 lead.

The second-half started similar to the first, as Kildare put over a trio of scores from Nessa Dooley, Aoife Rattigan, and Lara Curran. However, while Wicklow quickly exposed a Kildare weakness at the back at this point in the first, the visitors kept the momentum going to give Wicklow a mighty scare as the half wore on.

They pulled the deficit back to within two goals through further scores from Dooley and Rattigan, before — at the other end — Michelle Curley denied Sarah Delahunt a pop at goal. Wicklow continued to struggle to prise open a stubborn Kildare rearguard, as Lara Gilbert and Curley proved formidable reinforcement down their left-hand side.

As the game ticked over into the final 12 minutes, Ciara Wheeler reduced Wicklow’s lead to just three points, a Grace Clifford strike was saved over the bar by Kim Connors. Laura Hogan restored Wicklow’s one-goal lead going into the final 10 minutes as the tension on the field escalated.

Matters got worse for the Garden when substitute Meadbh Deeney and captain Niamh McGettigan were both sin-binned. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Wicklow remained firm at the back, as the likes of Sarah Hogan, Lorna Fusciardi Hayden, and Aoife Gillen prevented Kildare from getting that vital goal.

Controversy reigned with 59 minutes on the clock, when Nessa Dooley shaped past the Wicklow defence and fired the ball into the back of the net to equalise. Unfortunately, the referee blew the whistle to penalise the Kildare forward for travelling. That was as close to getting a goal as Kildare would get, while Wicklow went up the other end deep into additional time to wrap the game up.

Another poor Kildare kick-out was collected by Laura Hogan, who composed herself to lift the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper to seal a priceless three points for the hosts, finishing Wicklow 3 08 Kildare 0 12.

Kildare team

Rebecca McGuirk, Rachel Cribbin, Louise Scully, Amy Horan, Shauna Kendrick, Lara Gilbert, Trina Duggan, Sarah Munnelly, Grace Clifford cpt 0.01

Lara Curran 0.03 1F, Ciara Wheeler 0.02, Mikaela McKenna 0.03, Orlaith Sullivan, Neasa Dooley 0.02, Aoife Rattigan 0.01

Subs Amy Heffernan, Eadaoin Connolly, Rachel Corrigan, Michelle Curley, Paula Doran, Gemma Hartnett, Lauren Kelly, Clionadh Malone, Dervla McGinn, Ellen Dowling, Molly Price, Claire Sullivan, Rose Mernagh, Clara Wosser, Aoife Wosser.

Subs used: Michelle Curley for Amy Horan, Paula Doran for Orlaith Sullivan, Gemma Hartnett for Michelle Curley.

Wicklow team

Kim Connors, Emily Mulhall, Sarah Jane Winders, Aoife Gillen, Lorna Fusciardi Hayden, Sarah Hogan, Jessie Nolan Byrne, Niamh McGettigan cpt, Sarah Delahunt 1.02, Amy Murphy, Laurie Ahern 0.02, Evelyn Dean,Anna McGrath, Laura Hogan 2.03, Clodagh Fox 0.01

Subs Megan Dunne, Aine Byrne, Erin Horan, Tara Costello, Kate Hennessy, Marie Kealy, Aoife Gorman, Meadhbh Deeney, Emily Hadden, Annemarie Keegan, Georgina Canavan, Rionach Craul,Jackie Kinch, Erynn O Brien, Sarah Miley.

Subs used: Aoife Gorman for Anna McGrath, Meadhbh Deeney for Sarah Delahunt, Jackie Kinch for Evelyn Dean, Aine Byrne for Meadhbh Deeney.

Referee Jonathan Myrphy (Carlow)

Yellow cards:  

Neasa Dooley Kildare, Meadhbh Deeney and Niamh McGettigan Wicklow. 

Feature photo by Pat Tinsley shows Mikaela McKenna (0 03).

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.

A Co Carlow woman will be on Winning Streak on RTE next weekend.

The name of Kathleen Purcell from Kilgorey, Crettyard was pulled out of the draw drum on tonight's programme by co-presenters Marty Whelan and Sinead Kennedy.

Each lucky Winning Streak player is guaranteed to win tens of thousands of euro on the programme.

And they could even get the chance to spin the Grand Prize Wheel where the jackpot is €500,000.

Contestants are invited to bring several family members and friends to sample free hospitality and sit in the audience of the RTE studio in Donnybrook.

Players from Wexford, Kerry and Cork will also be on next weekend's game show.

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.

Please note, Peter O'Neill reminds that this year's Relay for Life Team Registration  and information evening takes place next Wednesday,  27 February at 7.30pm in the M Ps Mess Curragh Camp.

"We are urging people/teams from all parts of County Kildare to come along and register a team at this meeting and support fund raising for Irish Cancer Society" said Peter.

"For team registration contact Sharon Dillon Rowan at 087 659 0480 and general information, contact myself at 087 242 2380".

Feature photo: Sandra Wynne, Marie Henry, Tom Henry, Gina Walker, Thomas Henry, Ion Patulea, Tess Turner, Sophie Haslam, Elaine Finn and Lexi Mai Walker. Photos Aishling Conway

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.

By Kim O'Leary

This spectacular five bedroom contemporary residence will appeal to families as it includes bright, spacious accommodation inside and extends to a c.1 acre site which includes a vegetable garden and a large detached garage for an asking price of €460,000.

Maura Donohoe Auctioneers are pleased to present to the market  this large home located in Maddenstown South, Kildoon, Co Kildare, a beautifully designed dormer bungalow extending to c.400 sq.ft  of contemporary accommodation on a private 1 acre site.

Inside the property consists of 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms (including a family bathroom and 2 Jack & Jill en suite bathrooms), on the ground level there is an entrance porch, reception hall/lobby, hallway, an elegant living room, a study, fully fitted solid wood kitchen with open plan dining/living area and adjoining utility room. The first floor consists of a galleried landing and two bathrooms both with Jack & Jill en suites.

A fully fitted kitchen provides for a modern space for all the family to enjoy

Outside the property benefits from a gravel wrap around driveway with plenty of space of parking several cars as well as a granite courtyard, stud rail fencing and laurel hedging boundary enclosure. The gardens have been professionally landscaped and includes a decking area, a large detached garage with loft storage space, as well as a lovely vegetable garden with a greenhouse perfect for those inclined to grow their own fruit and veg!

Large professionally landscaped gardens extend to a 1 acre site

As a location Maddenstown South, Kildoon offers potential buyers idyllic countryside living with easy access to the surrounding local towns of Newbridge and Kildare and the motorway network which is just a short 5 minute drive by car.

Early viewing of this fantastic family home is highly recommended and for more information contact Maura Donohoe Auctioneers Newbridge on 045-449688 and check out 38 images at www.daft.ie

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 has published the Route Selection Report for the Naas Inner Relief Road.

Consultants have opted for Route 2, which is broadly similar to Route 1, which runs close to hundreds of homes as it cuts from the Dublin Road to the Blessington Road along the edge of the grounds of Naas Racecourse.

Population areas to be affected by the Route include: Mountain View, Sunday's Well, The Paddocks, Elmwood, Woodlands, Kingsfurze, Kings Court, The Gallops and Racecourse Gate, as well as areas of Monread and Tipper Road.

Cllr Darren Scully called on all the residents of Naas to read the Report and to submit their views and opinions under the Part 8 process which will have to be voted on by councillors by April 16.

Cllr Scully said: "This Inner Relief Road will affect all the residents and business people in the town.

"It is a huge decision that will have a big impact regarding the town and its growth over the next two decades."

The Council had always insisted that the Inner Relief Road will alleviate current traffic congestion and delays experienced in Naas Town Centre as well as on the existing R445 Dublin Road and the R410 Blessington Road.

It is estimated that the completion of the Road could also facilitate the construction of hundreds of new houses in Naas by 2021.

A large public meeting held in the Osprey Hotel, Naas on April 30 last year heard claims of a reduction in quality of life and property values in residential areas if either Route 1 or 2 was chosen.

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.

One of the biggest national hunt race meetings at Naas – the Paddy Power Cheltenham Trials Day takes place later today [Sunday].

The first on an eight-race card at Naas is due off at 1.30pm.

The Cheltenham Festival is creeping closer and trainers use this meeting as one of the last opportunities to get a run into their Cheltenham contenders before they head over to the big stage.

After racing there is also a Paddy Power Cheltenham Preview evening in aid of The Irish Injured Jockey’s Fund hosted by broadcaster Rob Catterson who will be joined by Davy Russell, David Casey, David Jennings and John Mullane.

Dont forget the FREE shuttle bus service operates to and from Sallins train station.

The Panoramic Restaurant is located on the first floor of the Grandstand which is at the heart of racing action.

Overlooking the racecourse you can enjoy the races from the comfort of your own reserved table.

For more details see:  www.naasracecourse.com.

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.

ABOVE: Sample photos in Fashion, Travel, Dublin categories.

Global technology leader Huawei has this week launched another quest to seek out Ireland’s most creative and talented amateur photographers.

Now in its fourth year, the Huawei Creatives competition continues to foster innovation and champion creative talent in Ireland.

One lucky winner will have the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world, putting Huawei’s latest flagship device through its paces on a trip of a lifetime.

The launch of the competition coincides with the release of new research findings by Huawei, which reveal that 67% of Irish people believe that social media inspires them, and a further 78% say it gives them ideas for creative projects. The research also revealed that in this traditionally sports obsessed nation, there are now more people who would aspire to be a social media influencer than those who consider a professional sports player as being their ‘dream job’. Last year Irish people took 3,924,723,984 photos and social media has become a favoured platform to showcase creativity, with over 70% of those surveyed by Huawei agreeing that sites such as Instagram give them a platform to promote their talent.

Huawei are calling all Irish creatives and social media enthusiasts to showcase their talent by sharing a photo entry with the hashtag #HuaweiCreatives. The social media competition gives one lucky winner the chance to win flights and accommodation for two anywhere in the world, allowing them to seek out new photography experiences on an incredible trip to a destination of their choice. The overall winner, and the winner of each category will also receive Huawei’s premium device from the flagship P30 series, which is to be released in March, giving them the opportunity to rewrite the rules of photography.

Leveraging the research findings Huawei have elevated the highly acclaimed Creatives competition, which last year received over 15,000 entries, to include seven additional categories, including ‘Nature’, ‘Night’, ‘Street’ and ‘Cityscapes’, opening the competition to more creatives across Ireland, allowing them to capture and share stunning Irish scenery, iconic streetscapes and city skylines, famous buildings and food and eye-catching fashion shots on Instagram.

Zena Ross, Marketing Manager, Huawei Ireland commented on the competition’s format as it enters its fourth year, “We wanted to learn more about what inspires people in Ireland to foster their creativity, so that Huawei Creatives could continue to support them in their endeavors and projects. Our research revealed that Instagram remains the chosen platform for people sharing their innovative ideas, and imaginative photography, and 65% of Irish people use social media to share their photography with their friends and followers.

The Creatives campaign allows us to continue to take the lead in supporting creativity and photography talent across Ireland, aided by the market leading cameras on our devices and our award-winning partnership with Leica. We see Huawei Creatives as the perfect medium to encourage budding Irish photographers, and we hope that people will foster their talents, utilizing the unrivalled photography experience afforded by Huawei devices.”

For those hoping to be in with a chance of winning the prize of an all-expenses paid trip and showcase their talent as part of this year’s Creatives campaign, photograph entries should be uploaded to Instagram with the hashtag #HuaweiCreatives as well as the hashtag for the category they are entering, e.g. #Nature

*T’s & C’s Apply, to find out more https://huaweicreatives.ie/terms-and-conditions

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.

Global warming has a lot to answer for!

The mild weather in January and February is sending nature crazy.

Butterflies, wasps and ladybirds have been spotted in gardens around the county.

And has the grass stopped growing at all this winter? - as many lawnmowers have been motoring away since Christmas.

A temperature high of 16 degrees was recorded in Leinster last weekend - 8 degrees about the average for this time of year.

Daisies and dandelions and buttercups - and even garden roses and wild strawberry flowers - have been seen in bloom.

Yellow flowers are also appearing in gorse bushes.

A Painted Lady Butterfly was spotted in West Cork in early January - but it usually leaves Ireland in the first half of September to migrate to Africa!

Many animals such as frogs should be in hibernation but are seen hopping about.

And some birds are tricked into making nests thinking it's April.

At least Spring is alive and kicking and the winter of 2018 /2019 may be over earlier than we thought!

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.

Fancy a walk along the finest of Kildare countryside? Why not join avid walker Donal Corcoran this morning for a 2 hour plus walk at 11am, commencing from Swans on the Green.

"Join me and take a beautiful walk along  Kildare countryside . This is one of my own personal training walks for my up coming walks - the Hungarian Walk of Friendship, my sixth.

"I'm the Irish Ambassador for the EPW (European Peace Walk) and will be doing my fourth Portuguese Camino from Fatima to Santiago de Compostela .

"Join me any Sunday at 11 am from Swans on the Green, Naas" said Donal.  "I like to meet local people as I walk across Eastern Europe  from Hungary to Italy every year something. I’ve done this since the Inaugural European Peace Walk in 2014. So drop down at 11am this morning and join us - we usually do 10-11km, all welcome!"

Featured photo shows Donal with Croatian Sculptor Izador Popijač with a Crucifix sculpted from Fossil Oak at least 40000 years old.

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.

LEADER Programme 2014 – 2020

Call for Expressions of Interest – Development of Artisan Food Enterprises

County Kildare LEADER Partnership is pleased to announce a time limited call for expressions of interest in LEADER funding for the development of Artisan Food Enterprises.  A total fund of €200,000.00 is available for a variety of project types for capital works, equipment, market research and bespoke training.

Examples of projects might include:

• Renovation and extension of production facilities for artisan, micro and small food producers.
• Purchase of processing equipment aimed at production quality.
• Market development and marketing for distinctive local and regional food products including collaborative proposals.
• Feasibility studies and capacity building & specialised training

  Grant Rates:   Private Enterprise Projects: - 50% Capital Expenditure / 75% Analysis & Development / 100% Capacity Building

  Community Projects: - 75% Capital Expenditure / 90% Analysis & Development / 100% Capacity Building

  Applicants must complete a two-stage application process:

  Stage 1: Complete an “Expression of Interest” form to determine if proposal meets the objectives of the Kildare Local Development Strategy and complies with the LEADER Programme guidelines.

  Stage 2: Applicants that are successful at Stage 1 will be invited to prepare and submit a full application with detailed costings and a business plan/project proposal.

  Interested applicants can obtain an expression of interest form from www.countykildarelp.ie or email Leader@countykildarelp.ie The deadline for expressions of interest is 15th March, 2019

  Also significant LEADER funding currently available towards Rural Tourism and Local Biodiversity projects

  For more information or to discuss a potential project contact Helen Mulhall or Maeve Howe at the LEADER Programme at 045 895450 or email: Leader@countykildarelp.ie

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.

The result of this afternoon’s game will go a long way in shaping the course of the rest of the League for both Kildare and Clare.

The teams are deadlocked on three points each with identical records after a win, draw and a loss to their names after three games with just a better score difference pushing the Banner men higher up the Division 2 Table.

Clare may be mostly hurling country but the fortunes of the footballers has dramatically increased in the past few seasons and they will come to Newbridge fully expecting to take the victory.

Clare’s upturn has coincided with Colm Collins time as manager and he has proven himself to be a serious operator as he has led his team to arguably number two in Munster behind the might of Kerry.

This is his sixth year in charge and the Cratloe man who incidentally led his Club to their first ever County Title before taking on this job has saw his team improve year on year.

For many their greatest achievement was defeating today’s opposition in the Division 3 National Football League Final back in 2016 and they have proven to be something of a bogey team for Kildare.

Kildare and Clare have barely come across each other but between 2014 and 2017, they met on four occasions with the Lillywhites holding sway in three of the four games and remarkably only a point separated them in all but one.

The first tie occurred in a qualifier down in Ennis with Kildare coming from six points down to snatch a 0-13 to 0-12 victory before Clare got a degree of payback for an earlier defeat in that League Final as Gary Brennan put in a stellar individual display that saw his team reign supreme at GAA HQ with a Dean Ryan stoppage time goal proving crucial.

The last meeting then arrived a year later with Kildare sealing their second consecutive promotion and a step up to Division 1 after a couple of late Paul Cribbin scores rubberstamped an 0-18 to 1-14 success.

Kildare would only spend one year at that level but despite a mediocre start its still somewhere they hope to get back to over the next month or so.

With four games over the next five weekends it’s a vital period for Cian O’Neill’s side and anything but a win will have them looking down rather than up.

If truth be told they haven’t been overly impressive in any of the games with a late Jimmy Hyland free snatching a draw in game one against Armagh before they got over Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh for a game better remembered for the state of the pitch.

The worst of the lot came a fortnight ago when Kildare only managed a solitary point from play as they went down to Fermanagh in a dour affair in Enniskillen.

It was probably the most disappointing performance since the Carlow debacle last year so it will be interesting to see what changes have been made in the meantime.

The Two Mile House trio of Mark Sherry, Chris Healy and Peter Kelly have since returned to the squad from club duty and that is sure to give everyone a boost as well as a challenge game victory over Offaly last weekend.

Offaly aren’t Clare though and Kildare will need to produce their best performance of the year to come away victorious.

Unlike Kildare, Clare went into the break in a joyous mood after they easily accounted for Cork at home.

That result came on the back of a narrow defeat to Donegal and a hard fought draw with Armagh so they will be reasonably pleased at their standing.

One thing they do seem to have over the hosts at the moment is a goal threat after scoring four goals to date.

You can count the amount of goal chances Kildare have created on one hand and the one they did get was from the penalty spot and the loss of Daniel Flynn and Niall Kelly looks to be affecting them in this regard.

Goals may be vital in today’s game and in a Division where three points separate the top from the bottom, points are certainly at a premium.

Kildare and Clare are crunched in the middle of the pack and if the last four meetings are anything to go by there is very little between the sides.

This one could go to the wire.

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 Co Council is due to make a decision on a proposed traditional Irish pet farm  in Clane.

The planned facility  - in the in Ballinagappa area - will have a single-storey reception building and car parking spaces.

A single storey agricultural tourist accommodation village development is also proposed and will consist of four residential units.

Planning application documents were lodged with the Council in December and a decision is due from planners.

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.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) are calling on the Government to provide stability and reassurance to the Tourism and Hospitality sector by reducing the 13.5% VAT rate back to 9%.

The VAT rate was reduced in 2011 from 13.5% to 9% to help encourage and support the growth of small businesses.

It was due to expire in 2013, but successive governments deemed the lower rate such a success that it was retained until Budget 2019.

Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said “Given the increasing potential of a no-deal Brexit, and the major implications that would have for Irish small and medium businesses, the RAI are calling on the Government to bring the VAT rate back to 9% ahead of March 29^th”.

If a no-deal Brexit happens, many small Irish businesses will become EU importers. It may cause serious issues in supply chains and also narrow the market for the Tourism and Hospitality industry: the UK accounts for over a quarter of all overseas tourism revenue and almost half of all overseas visitors to Ireland.

All of this will cause an additional financial strain on businesses. This will mean some businesses won’t be able to stay open, which not only affects the business owner, but means their employees will be out of work, increasing the Social Welfare bill.

Over the 8 years when the VAT rate was 9%, the Tourism and Hospitality sector has:

• Seen direct employment in the sector rise by 54,400 from 2011 to 2018
• Seen indirect employment rise by 25,024 in the same period
• Seen tourism in Ireland increase by over 52% from 2011 to 2017

This has all contributed to a significant increase in income for the exchequer, as well as saving over €1 million from the Social Welfare bill.

Raising the VAT rate to 13.5% has undermined the competitiveness and viability of Irish businesses. It also has the potential to put up to 27,000 jobs at risk, according to an analysis by economist Jim Power. Along with the other rising costs of doing business, such as increasing insurance costs and the raise in the minimum wage, many businesses are struggling to stay open.

Given the uncertainty around Brexit and the potential for long-term and far-reaching consequences for the Tourism and Hospitality sector, the Government needs to bring the VAT rate back to 9% to help ensure the viability of the sector post Brexit.

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.

Gardai in Carlow are investigating a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred near ‘The Nine Stones’ near Mount Leinster, Borris, Co. Carlow at approximately 5am this morning.

A 16 year old male was fatally injured when the car he was driving stuck a wall.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body has been taken to Waterford Hospital.

The four other male occupants of the car, all late teens, were taken to St Luke’s Hospital and Waterford University Hospital, one believed to be in a serious condition.

This stretch of road is currently closed to facilitate an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions are in place.

Gardai wish to appeal for witnesses to contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 9136620, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

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.

By Kim O'Leary and Rose Barrett O'Donoghue

Kildare singing sensation Megan O'Neill has had an amazing year with the release of her album, ‘Ghost of You’ topping the iTunes singer/songwriter charts for Ireland and the UK last summer, and the further release of her brilliant cover of Big Little Town's 'Girl Crush' earlier this month. The Kildare singer has featured in Irish Independent weekend magazine last year, Timeout Magazine London, lauded by the Irish Times as "The Irish Carrie Underwood", and more recently in Maverick, a major UK magazine, KildareNow, the Kildare Post and local media.

Talented American/Alt-country singer Megan plays on home turf on Monday next, literally on her back door as she performs in the renowned Ballymore Acoustic Gigs (BAG) run by Roy Thompson, venue: Mick Murphy’s, Ballymore Eustace, her home town.

She is further booked to play at the massive Country to Country Festival in O2 Arena, London in early March 8 and 9 before returning to Ireland for a gig in McAuley Place on April 5, another eclectic music venue in Co Kildare. Doors open 7.30pm, gig starts 8pm; tickets available from Megan’s website, Jam Music, Naas or directly from McAuley Place, Naas.

Megan, aged 28, has recorded and performed with many leading musicians in Nashville, as well as performing with Irish singer Gavin James at JJ Abram’s Oscar Wilde party in LA.

A former student of Scoil Mhuire NS, and Cross and Passion in Kilcullen before attending university at UCD studying psychology under scholarship with the UCD Choral Scholars before deciding to embrace her great love of song-writing and performing on stage.

After university, Megan moved to Nashville to further her singing career, before moving to London a few years ago. She has gathered a great following playing in leading venues in London and the UK with a gig at Country to Country Festival in O2 Arena, London in early March 8 and 9 – go, Megan, go!

After her gig in Naas on April 5, Megan heads north to Belfast to perform at Ards International Guitar Festival on April 7.

“I have some UK dates secured over the coming months plus a small German tour in a few weeks but I do love coming home to perform here in Ireland. You can’t beat an Irish audience!” said Megan.

'Girl Crush' is a song originally written by Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose and performed by American country music group Little Big Town. Megan has given the classic song her own twist, making for a lively cover that will delight country music fans. Production and instrumentation for the song is by Alex Sven-Elof Maile and the stunning artwork is by Ayse Herring at Wildflower Designs.

In recent months Megan has been hard at work on her new upcoming album, working with the acclaimed The Dunwells, brothers Joe and Dave Dunwell, who were an integral part of her last album 'Ghost of You' where they were co-writers and backing vocals on fan favourites 'Any Younger' and 'Lost a Love'.

Check out Megan’s unique style and delivery at BAG in the intimate setting of Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace on Monday next, February 25 with doors open from 7pm.

Check out Megan O'Neill's fantastic cover of 'Girl Crush' now on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music.

Check out:

http://megan-oneill.com/

https://www.facebook.com/meganoneillmusic

https://twitter.com/meganoneill

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.

Fiona O’Loughlin, TD for South Kildare recently received word from Irish Rail that the lift in Newbridge train station would be fixed next week.

Speaking on this Deputy O’Loughlin said, “I was contacted by a number of constituents who were concerned that the lift service at Newbridge train station was out of service and had been out of service for a number of weeks. I received a response to my parliamentary question stating that the problem arose from the board that controls the lift was water damaged."

“The parts were ordered earlier in the month and it is anticipated that work will commence once the parts are received on 25^th February. This is welcoming news for anyone traveling to Dublin who are unable to trek up the stairs in the station and for anyone caring for a person who needs assistance," she said.

Meanwhile Deputy O'Loughlin has also voiced concerns in relation to toilet facilities in Newbridge train station.

"While this is a positive response from Irish Rail we still have other issues in Newbridge that they are ignoring. I am also continually raising my concern with Irish Rail and the NTA in relation to the lack of toilet facilities in Newbridge station and yet no action has been taken to address the issue. Toilet facilities are a necessity given the location of the station outside the town and the amount of time a person could be waiting for a train to arrive," concluded Deputy O'Loughlin.

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.

Meadhbh O Sullivan, physiotherapist will  lead a 6 week circuit training class for people with arthritis at Newbridge parish centre.

The first class is on Tuesday, March 5 at 7pm.

The last of the six sessions will finish on Tuesday, April 9.

Cost is €5 per session and is organised by Arthritis Ireland Kildare Branch.

All welcome and no booking  is necessary.

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 1-16

Clare 0-13

Allianz National Football League Division 2

Kildare got their National Football League campaign back on track with a six point victory over Clare.

After going down to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Fermanagh two weeks ago, Kildare responded in style as they moved to within a point of Meath at the top of the division.

Kildare were never headed as they produced a much improved attacking display where they kicked 1-10 in the opening half.

Kevin Feely netted an opening half penalty and they managed to keep that buffer throughout the entire game despite Clare rallying in the second half with Jamie Malone in particular proving a big threat.

The game also proved to be a milestone for Neil Flynn with his five points ensuring he is the quickest Kildare star to reach 100 points after only 23 games.

Kildare looked to have banished the memory of the Fermanagh defeat with an exciting opening to the game in which they scored the first three points.

Neil Flynn initially caught an offensive mark and duly converted to get the scoring underway in the opening minute before Tommy Moolick kicked a couple of booming efforts from distance as Cian O’Neill’s men made a dream start.

Clare eventually got off the mark courtesy of a David Tubridy free in the 9^th minute while Keelan Sexton then had the deficit down to just the minimum after converting a 45.

Clare barely had time to try and think of going level as moments later a poor kickout from Pierce DeLoughrey went straight to Ben McCormack and the Sarsfields man bore down on goal before he was fouled by Gordon Kelly and not only was a penalty awarded but Kelly was also sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

Kevin Feely duly slotted home his second penalty of the League and Kildare powered into a four point lead.

The Banner county responded with a point from play by Eoin Cleary but after they squandered a couple of glorious goal chances including Jamie Malone fisting a shot wide where he was looking for a pass when in on Mark Donnellan.

Jason Gibbons who was making his first start also did well to deny a goalbound effort and from that point on Kildare began to go into overdrive.

The hosts kicked four efforts on the bounce with Flynn on the double as well as Jimmy Hyland expertly finding the target despite being under severe pressure.

Kevin Feely also scored with a fortuitous sideline ball bouncing over the bar to put his team 1-7 to 0-3 clear.

Cleary hit back with his second and third points of the half but it was all Kildare from there until the half-time whistle as Ben McCormack kicked a brace of beautiful efforts from play before Flynn rounded off the half’s scoring with a well taken free as Kildare took a 1-10 to 0-5 advantage into the break.

Kildare could have pushed further ahead at the start of the second period when Neil Flynn got in on the Clare endline but his right footed shot was well saved before Hyland swivelled to kick the rebound between the posts off his left foot.

Clare then got in something of a spurt with a couple of Jamie Malone scores adding to a Cleary free to leave six points between the sides once more.

Kildare were under a good bit of pressure but a David Hyland score at the end of a well worked move that went from one wing to the other settled them down.

Clare kept coming though and between the 48^th and 53^rd minutes they were back to within a score after Cleary and Cathal O’Connor kicked points before Jamie Malone who was proving very dangerous for the Kildare defence brought his tally to four points in the half with a duo of excellent shots.

To their credit though Kildare took the bull by the horn and finished in style with Hyland kicking them four clear as he registered their first score in eleven minutes.

Neil Flynn then brought his tally to five points with another free and when McCormack and Adam Tyrrell extended the advantage, the game was done as a contest.

Clare rallied with another Malone point while Mark Donnellan did well to save an effort from Gearoid O’Brien.

The game ended on a sour note for the visitors with Cormac Murray catching Eoin Doyle with a late challenge and he was sent on his way as he was given a straight red card.

The win now pushes Kildare up the Division with a huge top of the table game away in Navan against Meath awaiting next weekend.

Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Mark Dempsey, Mick O'Grady, David Hyland 0-1; Jason Gibbons, Eoin Doyle, Peter Kelly; Kevin Feely 1-1, Tommy Moolick 0-2; Paddy Brophy, Fergal Conway, Keith Cribbin; Jimmy Hyland 0-3, Ben McCormack 0-3, Neil Flynn 0-5 (0-3fs, 0-1 mark).

Subs: Aaron Masterson for Moolick 48 mins, Adam Tyrrell 0-1 (0-1f) for Brophy 50 mins, Kevin O’Callaghan for Cribbin 56 mins, Cian O’Donoghue for Gibbons 58 mins, James Murray for McCormack 65 mins.

Clare: Pierce DeLoughrey; Kevin Hartnett, Cillian Brennan, Gordon Kelly, Dean Ryan, Aaron Fitzgerald, Conall O’hAinifein, Gary Brennan, Eoin Cleary 0-6 (0-3fs), Cian O’Dea, Jamie Malone 0-5, Dale Masterson, Cathal O’Connor 0-1, Keelan Sexton 0-1 (0-1 45) David Tubridy.

Subs: Kieran Malone for O’hAinifein h-t, Cormac Murray for Sexton h-t, Sean Collins for Masterson 51 mins, Gearoid O’Brien for Ryan 51 mins, Gavin Cooney for Tubridy 68 mins.

Ref: Padraig O’Sullivan (Kerry)

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.

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.

By Kim O'Leary

It was an exciting weekend for mother/son singing duo Sharon and Brandon Webb and retro girl group Vintage from Co Kildare as they appeared on the talent show Ireland’s Got Talent, impressing the judges and receiving golden buzzers for their performances!

Singing duo Sharon Webb (41) and her son Brandon (19) from Kildare appeared on Ireland’s Got Talent which was broadcast on Virgin Media on Saturday night, and the mother/son duo blew the judges away with their rendition of Callum Scott and Leona Lewis’ duet of ‘You Are The Reason’.

Mature Student Sharon has been singing since she was a little girl and barman/DJ Brandon has also been singing from a young age with his Mam.

In 2018, Sharon and Brandon entered the TG4 show ‘Realta agus Gaolta’.

They originally entered Ireland’s Got Talent as solo singers but decided to come together and enter as a duo. Sharon has decided that Ireland’s Got Talent is her last shot at becoming a singer and she wants to show her kids that even though a door may be closed, “eventually one will open and stay open long enough to walk in.”

According to the show back in August, Brandon ingested a substance and ended up in a coma fighting for his life. The teenager revealed how he went on a night out with friends on the night of September 3 and ended up in a coma. "I don't remember very much," he said about that night.  "I was out with friends.  I took something I shouldn't have.  I made a mistake.  It nearly cost me my life."

An emotional Sharon revealed that she was told that within two hours of Brandon being taken to hospital he had had so many seizures that he was put on life support. "They basically prepared us to say goodbye to him, but he came back to me a couple of days later," she told judges Louis Walsh, Denise Van Outen, Michelle Visage, and Jason Byrne.

Sharon described it as "every parent's worst nightmare" and "horrendous". "The doctors were saying that his brain had been starved of so much oxygen that they didn't know what damage was done.  I was holding his hand and we were told to say goodbye to him.  I kept talking to him.  I was singing to him.  I said, 'Come on bud, come back to me'.  He woke up.  It just wasn't his time."

Brandon added, "I'm after getting a second shot.  I'm here for a reason now.  Music is that reason.  It gives me motivation to get up in the morning." The duo said they never thought they would sing together again so they felt like winners just to perform on the show, bringing the judges to tears with their heart-felt performance and presenter Lucy was so moved that she pressed the golden buzzer.

"It's justified that Lucy pressed that golden buzzer for you.  You truly, truly deserve it," said Denise Van Outen while Jason predicted they were going to be "big stars".

"There really is no love in this world like a mother's love and we as mothers felt your joy your love and your pain all at the same time singing the song," added Michelle Visage.

Louis Walsh predicted viewers were going to "fall in love" with Sharon and Brandon and with four yeses from the judges will advance to the next stage of the competition, the live shows.

Retro girl group Vintage hail from Kildare and they are students of Leah Moran Stage school. Pictured are Caoimhe, Allie, Jade, Maggie-Sue, Ava, Anna & Breanna

Meanwhile, 7 piece ‘girl band’ Vintage from Co Kildare also greatly impressed the four judges. The secondary school students are all aged from 13 to 17 years old and members of the Leah Moran Stage School.

They are made up of: Caoimhe, Allie, Jade, Maggie-Sue, Ava, Anna & Breanna.

The group describe themselves as ‘talented, fun, energetic, cute, classic and different. Vintage was only formed a few months ago but the girls have known each other for a long time through their stage school.

On Saturday night they impressed the judges with their retro, catchy rendition of classic tune ‘One Fine Day’ completely winning over the audience and the four judges, earning them a golden buzzer and a place in next week’s live shows.

The live shows of ‘Ireland’s Got Talent’ will air next Saturday, March 2 on Virgin Media One from 7.15pm.

Check out Sharon and Brandon Webb performing 'You Are The Reason' here!

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.