Louth inflict Kildare's seventh defeat on the trot

Louth inflicted Kildare's seventh defeat in seven games as the Wee County defeated The Lilies in the final round of the AFL Division on a final score line of Louth 1-12 Kildare 0-12.

The opening half was a dour affair with both teams getting huge numbers behind the ball when not in possession. The vital score of that half came in the 14 minute when Conaill McKeever cut in from the left off-loading to Ryan Burns who found the net with a low ground shot past Mark Donnellan. That made it 1-1 to 0-2, after Paddy McDermott and Aaron Masterson had raised white flags for Kildare.

Louth extended that lead through Sam Mulroy; Dan Flynn replied before Aaron Masterson hit another long range point after an excellent move.

On the resumption Kildare took the lead in the 37 minutes, Paddy Woodgate converting a 45. However Louth kicked on and by mid-way in the half led by three 1-7 to 0-7.

And while Kildare got it back to two after another brilliant point from Aaron Masterson, Louth kicked on and rarely looked like they would lose the gap ramining at three points to the end which ensures Louth retain their Division 2 status on a final score line of Louth 1-12 Kildare 0-12.

The sides were level on 31, Paddy Woodgate punching over after a fine move that began with Brian Byrne winning a great ball on his own full back line.

Sam Mulroy (free) regained the lead for Louth but a point from a Paddy Woodgate free saw the sides to in at the break all square, Kildare 0-6 Louth 1-3.

Scorers: Kildare, Paddy Woodgate 0-4 (2 frees, 45), Aaron Masterson 0-3, Kevin Feely 0-2 (2 frees), Paddy McDermott 0-1, Daniel Flynn 0-1, Darragh Kirwan 0-1.

Louth, Ryan Burns 1-2, Sam Mulroy 0-5 (4 frees, 45), Tom Jackson 0-2, Leonard Grey 0-1, Ciaran Downey 0-1, Conor Grimes 0-1.

KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Ryan Houlihan, Mick O’Grady cpt, Shea Ryan; Paddy McDermott, Eoin Doyle, Brian Byrne; Aaron Masterson, Luke Killian; Alex Beirne, Shane O'Sullivan, Shane Farrell; Kevin Feely, Daniel Flynn, Paddy Woodgate. Subs: Jack Sargent for Eoin Doyle (17 minutes); Ryan Burke for Ryan Houlihan (26 minutes); Darragh Kirwan for Shane O'Sullivan (50 minutes); Barry Coffey for Dan Flynn (63 minutes); Rian Teahan for Shane Farrell (66 minutes);

LOUTH: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny, Dermot Campbell, Pater Lynch; Conall McKeever, Anthony Williams, Leonard Grey; Tommy Durnin, Ciaran Murphy; Tom Jackson, Ciaran Downey, Conor Grimes; Ryan Burns, Sam Mulroy cpt., Ciaran Keenan. Subs: Craig Lennon for Ciaran Murphy (39 minutes); Liam Jackson for Tom Jackson (63 minutes); Dan Corcoran for Ciaran Keenan (70 minutes); Niall Sharkey for Ryan Burns (90 minutes).

REFEREE: Joe McQuillan, Cavan.

Division 2 results

Kildare 0-12 Louth 1-12;

Donegal 1-18 Meath 1-10;

Cork 2-16 Armagh 2-16;

Cavan 1-13 Fermanagh 2-14..

Promoted: Donegal and Armagh.

Relegated: Kildare and Fermanagh.