Charlie Sheridan points the way for Kildare in Leinster U-20HC win over Kerry

Kildare lost to Laois in the opening round while Kerry overcame Carlow but Ronan Walsh’s 0-9 was not enough for the Kingdom triumph again.

In a low-scoring first half, it was Kerry centre forward Walsh who opened the scoring with a third-minute free and doubled his tally from play 60 seconds later.

It was ten minutes until Conn Kehoe hit Kildare's opening score before Charlie Sheridan pointed a free after 17 minutes to level matters.

Heavy rain made conditions difficult leading up to half-time and both teams could only add two further points each as the teams entered the dressing room at 0-4 apiece.

Kildare were much the stronger after the break and they outscored the Kingdom by 0-11 to 1-5.

Eric Walsh scored Kerry's goal in the 63rd minute but the Lilywhites were already far enough ahead. Four second-half points from county senior Cian Boran coupled with three from Sheridan and a third from Kehoe were enough for victory ahead of a third-round meeting with Carlow.

SCORERS – Kildare: C Sheridan 0-5fs; C Boran 0-4; C Kehoe 0-3; C Flanagan, B Hennessy, D Guerin 0-1 each. Kerry: R Walsh 0-9 (7fs), E Walsh 1-0.

KILDARE – B O’Loughlin; E O’Briain, L O’Reilly, C Kirwan; S Gleeson, A Goss, B Hennessy; D Guerin, D O’Meara; C Flanagan, C Sheridan, C Kehoe; F Maher, C Treacy, C Boran. Subs: K Harrington for Maher (H/T), C Nolan for Treacy (53), J Couch for Kehoe (55), O Lynam for Boran (59).

KERRY – K Molloy; L Kennelly, J Maunsell, D Kearney; S McGrath, R O’Mahony, J Hannon; A Kavanagh, F Kavanagh; E Stack, R Walsh, C Litchfield; S Brosnan, K Carroll, C Murphy. Subs: J Enright for Murphy (35), E Walsh for Stack (45), N Doncel for A Kavanagh (47), T Gaynor for Carroll (50),

S Foran for F Kavanagh (55).

REF – P Dunne (Laois)