Kerry 2-19
Carlow 0-17

Kerry marked their Leinster SHC debut with a victory over Carlow in the opening game of the round-robin series at Austin Stack Park.

Fortunate to be ahead at half-time (1-6 to 0-7), Ciaran Carey's charges took control in the second half to chalk up an historic success. They never looked back after Shane Nolan booted home their second goal in the 42nd minute.

Despite plying their trade a division below the Kingdom in the Allianz League, Carlow looked the better side for long stages of the opening half, but were undermined by a huge tally of 13 wides. Points from John Egan, Shane Nolan and Daniel Collins propelled the hosts into an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead before Marty Kavanagh brought the Barrowsiders level with a brace.

But the visitors were rocked back on their heels at the end of the first quarter when Colum Harty set up John Egan for a well-taken goal.

Carlow replied with scores from Kavanagh and John Michael Nolan, but their failure to take their chances with the wind behind them would ultimately cost them.

Kerry were much improved in the second period with Nolan's goal proving to be the turning point. Egan and Hugh Paddy O'Byrne traded points before the home side gradually pulled away with points from John Griffin, Jordan Conway, Michael O'Leary, Jack Goulding and Mikey Boyle.

The Kingdom will be at home to Westmeath again next weekend, while Carlow are away to Offaly.

Kerry - A McCabe; B Murphy, P Kelly, K Carmody; J Diggins, D Dineen (0-1), T Murnane; J Griffin (0-3), D Collins (0-1); C Harty, M O'Leary (0-1), S Nolan (1-4, 0-3f); J Goulding (0-2), M Boyle (0-2), J Egan (1-3). Subs: B O'Leary for C Harty, J Conway (0-2) for S Nolan, J O'Connor for B O'Leary, B Barrett for J Goulding, D Fitzelle for B Murphy.

Carlow - B Treacy; G Coady, M Ryan, A Corcoran; D Byrne, R Coady, J O'Hara; J Kavanagh (0-1), R Kelly (0-1); Sean Murphy (0-1), M Kavanagh (0-8, 6f), K McDonald; Seamus Murphy (0-1), J Doyle (0-1f), JM Nolan (0-2). Subs: R Smithers for J Kavanagh, HP O'Byrne (0-1) for Seamus Murphy, C Lawlor (0-1) for K McDonald.

Referee - C Lyons.

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