Kildare 0-5
Monaghan 1-6
Allianz NFL Division 1
Conor McCarthy's goal on the half hour is the difference between Kildare and Monaghan in what has been an entertaining first half of football here in Newbridge. Kildare have been bright at times but have lacked a cutting edge going forward, and a tally of seven missed scoring opportunities in comparison to Monaghan's four is one of the major differences here.
Paul Cribbin enjoyed a mixed bag of a first half, scoring three wonderful points to keep Kildare in contention but then getting himself sent off on a black card offence after 34 minutes for pulling down Kieran Hughes in midfield. It is a blow for the Lilywhites ahead of the second half as Cribbin was the standout performer, with only Ben McCormack contributing to the scoreboard from play outside of the Johnstownbridge man.
Dessie Ward has been superb for the visitors as he struck two points and set up McCarthy's goal, while the Monaghan defence has been tigerish and on the edge with their tackling and harassment of the Kildare forwards.
Plenty of improvement needed if Kildare are to bag a first win in the league today.
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