Critical goals see Kildare claim Christy Ring Cup against Derry

Kildare claimed the Christy Ring Cup when accounting for Derry by eight points in their hugely entertaining decider at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

Of course, their reward is a place in next year's Joe McDonagh Cup and their ability to create and take the goal chances that came their way proved the telling difference between both teams.

Derry took their time to settle, allowing their opponents the chance to build up a head of steam and it was the Lilies that claimed the lead through a 3rd minute point by Simon Leacy.

Matters deteriorated for Derry a minute later as some defensive indecision was punished as Muiris Curtin gathered possession before firing an unerring shot into the top corner of Oisín O’Doherty’s goal.

A free from Cormac O’Doherty opened the Derry account in the 6th minute but they were playing second fiddle for the larger part as Kildare pushed clear through points by Cathal McCabe and Conan Boran.

Darragh McGilligan chipped in with Derry’s first score from play in the 10th minute but some loose marking was punished as Kildare continued to impress through scores by Paul Dolan and Leacy.

However, Derry were beginning to gain some foothold in the game, as reflected in scores from John Mullan and Cormac O’Doherty, trimming their margin to a more manageable three points towards the end of the first quarter.

Kildare could well have added a second goal in the 19th minute but Oisin O’Doherty dived full length to thwart a marauding James Burke and Derry seemed to take huge inspiration from this intervention.

Mullan in particular was galvanised in the ensuing four minutes, accruing three excellent points from play, and suddenly, Kildare’s lead was down to the bare minimum by the 23rd minute.

Jack Sheridan landed a