AFL: Kildare secure divisional status with six point win over Limerick

Kildare secured their Division 2 status  following a six  point win over Limerick at The Gaelic Grounds this afternoon and now go into the final game this day week when they entertain Meath at St Conleth's Park but with still  a lot at stake as  to where they will play their championship football this season, in the All Ireland  Series or The  Tailteann Cup.

Kildare led at the break by five points, 1-6 to 0-4, the goal, Kildare's first in over 12 months coming in the 21 minute after a fine move involving Darrag Kirwan, Paddy Woodgate and Kevin Flynn, saw the no. 6 finish cooly past Limerick keeper Donal O'Sullivan.

Leading by six points after 55 minutes The Lilies looked to be on their way but Limerick never gave up and were somewhat unfortunate not to find the net on more than one occasion but they finally found the rigging on 56 minutes, James Naughton blasting to the net after a poor clearance.

Jack Robinson cancelled that out a few minutes later to make it 2-8 to 1-5.

But the home side refused to fold and came again, this time Cillian Fahy finding the net soccer style to leave just three in it on 66 minutes.

A point apiece left three in  deep into injury time when in a breakaway involving Daniel Flynn, David Hyland and Darragh Kirwan the Naas man lost possession but cheekily back-heeled the ball to the Limerick net to see Kildare record their second win of the campaign and secure their place in the division.

Final score: Kildare 3-10 Limerick 2-7.

Scorers: Kildare, Darragh Kirwan 1-3, Kevin Flynn 1-1, Jack Robinson 1-1 (free), Barry Coffey 0-1, Paddy Woodgate 0-1 (free), Ben McCormack 0-1, Neil Flynn 0-1, David Hyland 0-1.

Limerick, James Naughton 1-3 (2 frees), Cillian Fahy 1-1 (mark), Colm McSweeney 0-1, Barry Coleman 0-1, Brian Donovan 0-1.

KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Mick O'Grady cpt., Shea Ryan, Ryan Houlihan; David Hylalnd, Kevin Flynn, Jack Sargent; Arran Masterson, Kevin O'Callaghan; Barry Coffey, Ben McCormack, Alex Beirne; Neil Flynn, Darragh Kirwan, Paddy Woodgate. Subs: Daniel Flynn for Ben McCormack (29 minutes); Jack Robinson for Neil Flynn (51 minutes); Paul Cribbin for Alex Beirne (53 minutes); Paddy McDermott for Barry Coffey (66 minutes); Eoin Doyle for Paddy Woodgate (71 minutes).

LIMERICK: Donal O'Sullivan; Michael Donovan, Sean O'Dea, Brian Fanning; Barry Coleman, Colm McSweeney, Tony McCarthy; Cathal Downes, Cullian Fahy; Paul Maher, James Naughton, Cian Sheehan; Davey Lyons, Brian Donovan, Hugh Bourke.Subs: Adrian Enright for Davey Lyons (34 minutes); Gordon Brown for Tony McCarthy (half-time); Peter Nash for Cathal Downes (42 minutes); Robbie Bourke for Barry Coleman (53 minutes); Davey Lyons for Hugh Bourke (66 minutes);

REFEREE: John Ryan, Cork

AFL Division 2 results, Round 6

Derry 0-14 Clare 0-4;

Meath 1-11 Dublin 2-17;

Louth 1-10 Cork 0-10.

Limerick 2-7 Kildare 3-10