ROUND TOWERS bridged a gap stretching back to 1961 when they defeated Johnstownbridge to claim the Kildare senior football title at Newbridge yesterday.

Johnstownbridge, who last won in 1989, made an impressive start when full forward Ken Dixon, one of their best players all season, opened the scoring after less than a minute.

They went two points clear when Declan Kerrigan pointed a minute later. Johnstownbridge led by 0-4 to 0-1 after 10 minutes and the Towers' recovery began when Shane Daly kicked over the first of his three 455.

The only goal arrived at the end of the first quarter and put Round Towers into a lead they never lost and they led by 1-8 to 1-6 at half time.

Johnstownbridge rearranged their defence for the second half and they narrowed the gap with a Declan Kerrigan free.

However, they failed to score again for 22 minutes. In between Shane Daly converted two frees and Liam Ryan scored from play to put the game beyond the reach of Johnstownbridge.