IT was one of their best performances of the NFL campaign to date but it wasn’t enough in the end. Down will be playing Division 2 football in 2014.
James McCartan’s side needed a near improbable set of results to go their way and in short their miracle never arrived. Kildare were already assured of a semi final slot and they will now go forward to play Tyrone. The Mournemen played Kildare off the park for long periods of this game and truly deserved their nine point victory.
In Kevin McKernan, Down had the star performer on the pitch. The Burren man was everywhere as he racked up 1-3. The Lilywhites started the strongest as Eoghan O’Flaherty and Johnny Doyle grabbed early minor scores.
However, Down soon took charge on their home turf as Eoin McCartan scored the first of his two goals on 16 minutes. Mark Poland instigated the move which saw Benny Coulter receive possession on the square before offloading to McCartan who palmed into the net.
Kildare kept at their task, but some woeful wides let Down stay in control.
It took scores from Peter Kelly and Alan Smith to finally see Kildare turn possession into action on the scoreboard, but three late points from Donal O’Hare (0-2) and Benny Coulter (0-1) gave Down a 1-6 to 0-6 half-time lead.
Unfortunately for Coulter his game ended at the interval and he was replaced by Ryan Mallon due to sustaining a hamstring injury.
Down started the second period brightly. Kevin McKernan’s well-worked point with Mark Poland was a particular highlight.
Seven minutes in, Eoin McCartan popped up with his second goal. Kevin McKernan had made a blistering run forward before he shot for the net. Shane Connolly in the Kildare goal saved his effort, but McCartan assumed the poacher’s role to clip home the rebound.
With 15 minutes to go Down put the finishing touches on their victory. Kevin McKernan got their third major. Kalum King directed the ball into the path of Donal O’Hare in the midfield area. O’Hare slipped the ball to Poland who drifted the ball to the grip of the dynamic McKernan. The Burren star then let fly to seal an excellent team move.
Kildare did manage a consolation goal with six minutes left through Padraig O’Neill.
McCartan’s men sealed their win with a bit of class as substitute Niall Madine bagged two points to finish their NFL adventure on a positive.
Down: B McVeigh; D McCartan, B McArdle, O Costello; D Rooney, P Turley, R Boyle (0-1); K King, K McKernan (1-3); M Poland, P Devlin (0-1f), K Quinn; D O’Hare (0-4f), E McCartan (2-0), B Coulter (0-1). Subs: A McArdle for Quinn, R Mallon (0-1) for Coulter, N Madine (0-2) for E McCartan, D Turley for P Turley, R Kelly for O’Hare.
Kildare: S Connolly; O Lyons, M Foley, H McGrillen; P Cribbin (0-2), P Kelly (0-1), E Doyle; D Flynn, P O’Neill (1-0); W Groome, E Callaghan (0-1), E O’Flaherty (0-2); J Doyle (0-5, 3f), S Johnston, A Smith (0-1). Subs: S Hurley for Flynn, F Dowling for Johnston, N Kelly for Callaghan, C McNally for Groome, T O’Connor for Smith.
Down 3-13
Kildare 1-12
ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 1