Strong finish from Kildare sees off Down

25 February 2015

DOWN fell to their first defeat in Division 2B when they lost outv to a strong Kildare side at St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, on Sunday.

Despite Gerry Keegan giving Kildare a flying start with an early goal, it was Down who looked the more impressive early on with Caolan Bailie (0-3) and Danny Toner giving the visitors a 0-4 got 1-0 lead.

James Coyle extended Down’s lead when he added a goal after eight minutes and Down seemed to be coasting with a four point leads. Kildare hit back, however, and points from Mark Delaney, Leo Quinn and Evan Dempsey helped them close the lead to just a single point with only 15 minutes on the clock.

Bailie and Mark Moloney exchanged points before Conor Woods and Coyle eased Down back into a three point lead. Delaney and Toner swapped points, but as half-time loomed large Bernard Deay finished to the back of the net and then added two points to take the lead away from Down. Kildare were not finished just yet and further points from Delaney and Paul Divilly gave the Lilywhites a 2-9 to 1-8 lead at the break.

Down fell further behind at the start of the second half when Delaney lofted over a free and added another seven minutes later to increase Kildare’s lead to six points. Down finally got off the mark on the 50 minute mark through a Woods free and Bailie followed that up with two more frees to leave three points in it and all to play for.

Delaney and Bailie exchanged points with 13 minutes remaining, but it was Kildare who finished the stronger and points from Delaney (2) and Keegan sealed victory.

Kildare: P. Dermody, M. Grace, F. O Miuneachain, J. Doran, D. Young, M. Fitzgerald, E. O’Neill, M. Moloney (0-1), P. Divilly (0-1), G. Keegan (1-2), L. Quinn (0-1), B. Deay (1-2), E. Dempsey (0-1), J. Byrne, M. Delaney (0-7). Subs: R. Casey for Quinn, N. Kenny for Delaney.

Down: S. Keith, J. McManus, P. Flynn, S. Ennis, M. McCullough, F. Conway, M. Ennis, D. McManus, C. Woods (0-2), D. Hughes, D. Toner (0-2), C. Bailie (0-7), S. Dineen, G. JOhnson, J. Coyle (1-1). Subs: C. O’Neill for Conway, M. Magee for Dineen, J. McCusker for Coyle, R. McCusker for Johnson, A. Bell for Toner.

Kildare 2-15

Down 1-12

ALLIANZ NHL DIVISION 2B

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