Allianz HL D1B: Kildare defeat Down
Kildare senior hurling team manager Brian Dowling. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Kildare 3-24 Down 1-23
It has been an encouraging start to the campaign for Kildare, who defeated Down.
Despite conceding a couple of points initially, Brian Dowling's improving team struck a second minute goal courtesy of Cathal Dowling.
Kildare were causing Down problems with Dowling adding a second major for the Lilywhites, who moved 2-2 to 0-3 ahead after eight minutes.
Pearse Óg McCrickard was sharp for Down, and even though Kildare's Jack Sheridan was sent off, the visitors still departed 2-15 to 0-8 in front at the break.
Four minutes after the restart the excellent Dowling added a third goal for Kildare.
Tom McGrattan scored a late consolation goal for Down, but Kildare did enough to secure another important win.
Scorers for Kildare: D Qualter 0-14 (11fs, 1 65), C Dowling 3-0, G Keegan 0-3, M Curtin 0-2, C McCabe 0-2, C Boran 0-1, J Sheridan 0-1, C Smith 0-1.
Scorers for Down: P Óg McCrickard 0-11 (10fs), T McGrattan 1-0, T Prenter 0-3, L Savage 0-2, P Sheehan 0-2, D Hughes 0-2, C Taggart 0-1, D Sands 0-1, F Turpin 0-1.
Kildare: P McKenna; L O Reilly, R Boran, R Hogan; S Leacy, C Boran, D O Meara; P Dolan, D Guerin; C McCabe, A Goss, J Sheridan; D Qualter, G Keegan, J Dolan.
Subs: C Smith for C Dowling (44 minutes), A Goss for M Curtin (57 minutes), C Kehoe for A Goss (60 minutes), H Carroll for D O'Meara (65 minutes), T Ryan for G Keegan (71 minutes).
Down: L Smyth; R Smyth, R McCrickard, B Taggart; B Trainor, C Taggart, N McFarland; D Hughes, T Prenter; S Pucci, P Og McCrickard, L Savage; E Sands, F Turpin, R Beatty.
Subs: M Fisher for R Smyth (HT), P Sheehan for S Pucci (HT), D Sands for C Coleman (Half-time), T McGrattan for R Beatty (53 minutes), E Pucci for P Óg Crickard (61 minutes).
Referee: C Flynn (Wexford).
