Injury hit Kildare hurlers come up short against Laois after strong start

Allianz Hurling League Division 2A Round 2

Laois 3-23

Kildare 1-20

Laois handed Kildare their second loss of their Division 2A league campaign in Manguard Park. Kildare held a narrow lead of 0-14 to 0-13 at half-time, but after they squandered a goal chance at one end just after the break, Laois hit the home side's net at the other in a real sucker punch to the Lilywhites.

Brian Dowling will have seen a lot more positives this time out than were seen last week against Meath and his squad continues to be hit with injuries as the already depleted squad lost two more men in the first half.

Kildare face a long trip up the road to Down for their next game.

Laois, Stephen Maher 0-7 (0-6 frees), James Duggan 1-1, Mark Dowling 1-0, Stephen Bergin 1-0, Enda Rowland 0-2 (0-2 frees), Paddy Purcell 0-2, Martin Phelan 0-2, Padraig Delaney 0-2, Jer Quinlan 0-2, Tom Cuddy 0-1, David Dooley 0-1, Cody Comerford 0-1, Aaron Dunphy 0-1 (0-1 65').

Kildare, Jack Sheridan 1-13 (0-7 frees), James Burke 0-3, Simon Leacy 0-1, Conan Boran 0-1, Cian Boran 0-1, Conn Kehoe 0-1.

LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Ian Shanahan, Liam O'Connell, Diarmaid Conway; Tom Cuddy, Padraig Delaney, Fiachra Fennell; Cody Comerford, Paddy Purcell; Martin Phelan, Stephen Maher, David Dooley; Jer Quinlan, James Duggan, Mark Dowling. Subs: Aidan Corby for Paddy Purcell (47 minutes), Aaron Dunphy for Stephen Maher (53 minutes), Stephen Bergin for Mark Dowling (58 minutes), Padraic Dunne for Cody Comerford (69 minutes), Gearoid Lynch for Martin Phelan (74 minutes).

KILDARE: Patrick McKenna; Cian Shanahan, Seán Christianseen, Mark Grace; Cormac Byrne, Simon Leacy, Conan Boran; Rian Boran, Jack Higgins; Cathal Dowling, James Burke, Daire Guerin; Muiris Curtin, Jack Sheridan, Cian Boran. Subs: Conn Kehoe for Cathal Dowling (19 minutes), Declan Flaherty for Jack Higgins (27 minutes), John McKeon for Seán Christianseen (53 minutes).

Referee: Brian Keon, Galway