Kildare County 0
Shamrock Rovers 3
Scorers : Doyle 17'pen. 56', Purcell 31'.

Rovers Team

1 Barry Murphy, 2 David Cassidy Yellow Card, 3 Robbie Clarke, 4 Aidan Price, 5 Ian Ryan, 6 Ray Scully, 7 Jamie Duffy, 8 Gareth Cooney, 9 Willie Doyle, 10 Tadhg Purcell, 11 Dave O'Connor. Substitutes : 13 Ger O'Brien (O'Connor 79'), 14 Ray Kelly, 15 Padraig Amond (Doyle 81'), 16 Ian Maher, 20 John McGuinness.

Match Report

A burst of torrential rain just before kick-off added to the stiff breeze blowing around the Station Road venue made this a very tough assignment for the Hoops against a physically strong Kildare side. Backed by a healthy gathering of Rovers fans the young Hoops side went about their business in a professional manner and saw the game swing in their favour in the 16th minute.

Willie Doyle chased a through ball as defender Byrne looked to be in control however the Kildare man failed to clear and Doyle bore down on goal only to be upended by 'keeper Kennedy. A penalty and a red card for the home number one was the decision of the Ref. and Doyle coolly slotted the spot-kick past sub goalkeeper Mark Scoyne.

However the home side responded well and a couple of silly free-kicks given away by Rovers enabled the "Thoroughbreds" to apply some pressure on Barry Murphys goal. Their best effort in the 27th minute saw Murphy hold a snap shot from eight yards out.

Rovers went further ahead in the 31st minute when a great break from Dave O'Connor saw him deliver an inch perfect cross for Purcell to head home the Hoops second. A back-header from Aidan Price almost let the Kildare number nine in on goal but he blasted his effort over the bar. Rovers finished the 'half with Cassidy sending in a deep cross but Purcell volleyed over the bar.

With the wind at their backs the Hoops emerged for the second half in an attacking mode and Scullys shot from the edge of the area was blocked for a corner in the 51st minute with Price heading the resultant corner wide. Three minutes later Jamie Duffy fired a shot straight at the 'keeper. A good punch away by the home goalkeeper from a dangerous Clarke cross preceded a comedy of errors by the home defence a minute later.

Firstly a central defender let the ball slip through his legs and as Doyle pounced on the loose ball the sub 'keeper Scoyne tried to clear upfield only to see the ball hit Doyle and fall nicely for the Hoops number nine to slot the ball into an empty net. Rovers were in complete control now and Doyle almost got a third but his header went just wide from a 66th minute corner.

The home side never gave up and Murphy had to be alert to tip over a fine effort in the 68th minute. Rovers continued to look for a fourth goal but the game petered out as Rovers protected their three goal cushion. There was one final chance when Purcells free-kick to the back post was met by sub Amond but he couldn't direct his effort on goal.