Kildare hurlers take on Derry this weekend

Kildare hurlers make the long journey to Owenbeg to take on Derry in Round 3 of the Allianz Hurling League Division 2 on Saturday.

Both sides have won one and lost one but, on paper least, it would seem Kildare have played the stronger opposition.

The Lilies lost out in their lost in their opening game to Down in Ballycran, and while there were just three points separating them that day Kildare came home extremely disappointed.

The following week Kildare were back in Cedral St Conleth's Park and took on Kerry with the home side hitting top form winning 2-26 to 0-18.

It was a performance that manager Brian Dowling expressed his delight with and one that bodes well for the future.

Derry, on the other hand defeated Tyrone in their opening game, fare from impressive it has to be said winning 1-13 to 0-14 and then in their second game, last weekend, Derry got a bit of a hiding from Down losing out by no less than nineteen points (2-26 to 0-13).

So if one was to take those score lines and the form Kildare should have enough to get over Derry, albeit in Owenbeg.

Gerry Keegan got more game time under his belt against Kerry, while Jack Sheridan who missed out on the trip to Down due to a hamstring also returned in the second half, getting three points to boot.

Qualter in top form

David Qualter is certainly finding the range with another impressive display against Kerry, following on from his fine effort the previous week against Down, he hit no less than 1-13 while the previous game he hit an impressive eleven points.

It was certainly a much improved performance against Kerry and hopefully they can now build on that in the coming weeks and kick on.

The injuries are clearing up, the scores are totting up and no doubt that win over Kerry will do wonders for the confidence.

So a win certainly expected against Derry but nothing, as ever can be taken for granted.