Kildare secure promotion with stunning victory over Tipperary

Tipperary       1-5

Kildare            2-13

Allianz NFL Division 3

Kildare eased their way into Division 2 of the NFL with a superb 11 point victory over Tipperary in Clonmel this afternoon.

The fact that the game was played in the Clonmel Commercials club pitch actually added to the occasion as fans were packed in tightly together, resulting in a much larger crescendo of noise that would have been experienced in Semple Stadium.

As always, a massive Kildare crowd travelled down to the Munster town and the number of Lilywhites fans vastly outnumbered those supporting the Premier Men. It was certainly evident when Adam Tyrell opened the scoring with a monstrous free from 50 yards out that raised an almighty roar from the crowd. That score was quickly added to be Daniel Flynn, who was a late addition to the side before throw-in.

The scoring slowed down for the next 10 minutes however, though it failed to make the game any less interesting. Peter Kelly was winning every 50/50 ball out in front of Tipperary dangerman Conor Sweeney, while Fergal Conway was breaking down any moves that came through the centre through his shear physical presence and good reading of the game. Mark Donnellan was also highly impressive throughout the first half as he swept behind the full-back line while also making some brilliant catches.

The Lilywhites eventually regathered their attacking verve as they knocked over a brace of scores in quick succession through Eoghan O'Flaherty and Adam Tyrell to open up a four point gap.

Niall Kelly was enjoying one of his best displays of the year so far and it was fitting that it was the Athy man who found the net for Kildare. He picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and spotted Tommy Moolick racing into space on front of the posts. Kelly lashed in an audacious pass that most footballers would not have even thought about, but Moolick cleverly hopped over the O'Neills and allowed it to roll into the corner of Evan Comerford's net.

Tipperary were continuing to waste chances at the other end, with Conor Sweeney being the main culprit. He struck two 20 metre frees off the post in the first half, while the rest of the forward unit were also guilty of missing chances.

Mark Donnellan was arguably the visitors' best player in the opening 35 minutes, and he pulled out a top drawer save to deny Alan Campbell a goal after 28 minutes.

With a nine point lead, and the wind at dying down, Kildare looked certain to go on and open up an even bigger gap in the second half.

A torrential downpour during the half-time break made conditions extremely difficult for both sets of players in the second period as the conditions of the pitch deteriorated.

Tipperary immediately showed a little more impetus at the beginning of the half as they scored three points through Alan Maloney(2) and Michael Quinlivan. Tommy Moolick and Paul Cribbin kept the scoreboard ticking over at the other end with a score each to ensure that the Premier Men couldn't get too much of a foothold in the tie.

Daniel Flynn scored one of the best goals that you will see all year in the opening round against Westmeath, and while Sunday's one wasn't quite as good, it was still a superb effort. The Johnstownbridge man brought the ball on a powerful run before exchanging a one-sided Kelly and thundering the ball into the top corner. That opened up a 2-9 to 0-5 lead, but the feeling of elation was soon quelled when Tipperary struck back almost immediately at the other end with a goal from Kevin Fahey.

Kildare just needed to take the sting out of the game at this stage and they did just that as they held Tipperary scoreless for the rest of the half.

Daniel Flynn went off with a hamstring injury.

Paul Cribbin and Eamon Callaghan finished off the scoring late on as Kildare sealed a win that makes them a certainty for promotion and a league final beckons

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Scorers for Tipperary: K Fahey 1-1, A Maloney 0-2(1F), P Austin and M Quinlivan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: D Flynn 1-2, N Kelly 1-0, E O'Flaherty(1F, 1'45) and A Tyrell 0-3(1F) each, T Moolick and P Cribbin 0-2 each, E Callaghan 0-1

Tipperary 

E Comerford; C Shaugnessy, A Campbell(S Leahy 58 mins), C McDonald; J Feehan, R Kiely, K Fahey; A Maloney, M Dunne(G Hannigan 55mins); J Keane, P Acheson, J Longeran; C Sweeney(B Hewitt h/t), M Quinlivan, P Austin.

Kildare

M Donnellan; P Kelly, C Fitzpatrick, O Lyons; D Hyland, F Conway(K Murnaghan(68 mins), C O'Donoghue(J Byrne h/t); K Feely, T Moolick; A Tyrell(A Smith(67mins),Daniel Flynn(P O'Neill 60mins), P Cribbin(R Kelly 69mins); E O'Flaherty, N Kelly, E Callaghan.