Kildare upset the odds and defeat Roscommon

Kildare recorded their first win in the All-Ireland Series when defeating Roscommon by a single point at Tullamore this afternoon.

It was a game deserved to take the spoils, trailing by two at the break the sides were level six times in the second halfe before a Kevin Feely mark in the 75 minute that clinched the win for The Lilies.

Kildare got off a flying start, despite Roscommon opening with a Cian McKeon point from play. Neil Flynn converted a free before Kevin Flynn (mark) had The Lilies in front aftere seven minutes.

Daniel Flynn added a mark before a great involving Darragh Kirwan, Kevin Flynnn ended with Alex Beirne first timing the ball to the net and when Beirne added a point Kildare led 1-4 to 0-2, Ciaran Murtagh having convertd a free for Roscommon.

It suddenly went all down hill for Kildare with Glenn  Ryan's side picking up two black cards inside five minutes; initially Alex Beirne (harsh) followed by Ryan Houlihan.

Before the two returned Roscommon racked up 1-4, the goal coming from Enda Smith in the 28 minute.

Half-time Roscommon 1-6 Kildare 1-4.

The second half saw Kildare lift their game considerably and in a half that saw the sides level on no less than six occasions a great ball in by Daniel Flynn was brilliantly fetched by the Athy man, wide on the right.

However he fired over the mark despite the acute angle to give Kildare a precious win that sees them finish second in the group and qualify for a home venue in the pre-quarter final but with Cedral Park St Conleth's Park out of commission we await to see where that game will be played.

The pre-quarter final draw will take place on Morning Ireland at 8.30.

Scorers: Kildare, Alex Beirne 1-2, Neil Flynn 0-4 (3 frees), Kevin Feely 0-4 (3 marks, 1 free), Ben McCormack 0-3, Kevin O'Callaghan 0-1, Darragh Kirwan 0-1 (mark), Daniel Flynn 0-1 (mark),

Roscommon, Enda Smith 1-3, Ciaran Murtagh 0-4 (3 frees), Cian McKeon 0-3 (1 mark), Ben O'Carroll 0-1, Diarmui Murtagh 0-1 (free), Niall Daly 0-1, Dyoan Ruane 0-1, donie smith 0-1 (free).

KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Ryan Houlihan; Shea Ryan, Eoin Doyle; David Hyland, Kevin Flynn, Jack Sargent; Kevin O'Callaghan, Kevin Feely; Paddy McDermott, Ben McCormack, Alex Beirne; Neil Flynn, Darragh Kirwan, Daniel Flynn. Subs: Darragh Malone for Ryan Houlihan (44 minutes); Tony Archbold for Alex Beirne (58 minutes); Harry O'Neill for Eoin Doyle (64 minutes); Paul Cribbin for Paddy McDermott (70 minutes).

ROSCOMMON: Conor Carroll; Colin Walsh, Brian Stack captain, David Murray; Niall Daly, Eoin McCormack, Conor Daly; Dylan Ruane, Eddie Nolan; Ciaráin Murtagh, Enda Smith, Donie Smith; Cian McKeon, Ben O’Carroll. Diarmuid Murtagh. Subs: Ciaran Lennon for Conor Daly (21 minutes); Conor Hussey for Colin Walsh (41 minutes); Richard Hughes for Eddie Nolan (70 minutes).

REFEREE: Martin McNally, Monaghan.