AHL Div 2A: Out of sorts Kildare edge it over Down

Kildare made it two wins from two following a two point win over Down in the AHL Division 2A, Round 2 clash at Hawkfield this afternoon.

It was a far from vintage display from the home side who trailed at the half-time 1-9 to 0-14. It was a Cathal McCabe goal that gave Kildare the impetus having gone five down.

On the resumption Kildare, missed a penalty, James Burke hitting it left and wide but they hit back to level.

Down did not go away easily and opened a two point lead on 63 minutes but Kildare stuck to their task and with some brilliant points from Brian Byrne, James Burke, Paddy McKenna free, Declan Flaherty and Cathal McCabe they edged into the lead they held to the end with Paddy McKenna making a few vital saves in that second half.

Full time score: Kildare 1-17 Down 0-19.

Scorers: Kildare, James Burke 0-7 (5 frees), Cathal McCabe 1-2, Brian Byrne 0-2, Cathal Dowling 0-1, Paul Dolan 0-2, Paddy McKenna 0-1 (free), Declan Flaherty 0-1, Rian Boran 0-1.

Down, Paul Sheehan 0-8 (4 frees, 65), Stuart Martin 0-2, Finn Turplin 0-3, Barry Trainer 0-1, Pearse Óg McCrickard 0-2, Tom McGrattan 0-1, Caolan Taggart 0-1, Matt Conlon 0-1.

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Niall Ó Muineacháin, Simon Leacy, Cian Shanahan; Jack Travers; Conan Boran, Rian Boran; Paul Dolan, Cathal McCabe; Johnny Byrne, Gerry Keegan, James Burke cpt.; Brian Byrne, David Qualter, Cathal Dowling. Subs: Cian Boran for David Qualter (44 minutes); Cormac Byrne for Jack Travers (47 minutes); Declan Flaherty for Paul Dolan (56 minutes); Mark Delaney for Johnny Byrne (65 minutes).

DOWN: Stephen Keith; Tom Murray, Barry Trainer, John McManus; Caolan Taggart, Matt Conlon, Niall McFarland; Liam Savage, Stuart Martin; Finn Turpin, Paul Sheehan, Pears Óg McCrickard; Oisin MacManus, Chris Egan, Tom McGrattan. Subs: Tim Prenter for Barry Trainor (51 minutes); Ayrton Gleeson for Pearse Óg McCrickard (62 minutes) Jason Croskery for Caolan Taggart (63 minutes).

REFEREE: Shane Hynes, Galway.