Kildare 0-22
Clare 1-14

Daragh O Conchuir reports from Newbridge

CLARE WILL JOIN Kildare in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League despite losing out at St Conleth’s Park this afternoon.

But they will play the Division 3 final against the Lilywhites without David Tubridy after the Clare talisman was sent off on a straight red card for striking out at Ciaran Fitzpatrick in almost the game’s final act.

It was stupid by Tubridy, as by that stage Kildare had finally exerted their authority, their fitness and conditioning coming to the fore as they kept Clare scoreless for the last 15 minutes, while scoring seven points in the meantime to settle matters.

The first half was incredibly open, with Alan Smith in particular looking really sharp for the hosts, scoring four points from play and generally causing mayhem.

Niall Kelly, Paul Cribbin and Tommy Moolick also launched excellent points as Kildare launched their bid to register a hurling score.

The openness of their rearguard and indisciplined defending meant that Clare were more than a match for them however, buoyed by a clear dominance of the midfield sector.

Dublin native Pat Burke scored a goal after a slick move in the 11th minute and with David Tubridy and Eoin Cleary converting the placed balls, it was 0-11 to 1-8 at half time.

Clare began the second half well but could never get more than two points clear.

Kildare held their nerve and the experienced Eamonn Callaghan had a huge impact off the bench, with two points and three assists in the final quarter to help ease the Lilies clear.

Scorers – Kildare: E O’Flaherty 0-7 (0-5fs); A Smith 0-4; P Cribbin, N Kelly 0-3 each; E Callaghan 0-2; T Moolick, C Fitzpatrick, D Hyland 0-1

Scorers for Clare: D Tubridy 0-6(3fs, 145); J Malone, E Cleary (3fs) 0-4 each, P Burke 1-0.

Kildare

Tom Corley (Moorefield)

Peter Kelly (Twomilehouse)
David Hyland (Athy)
Ollie Lyons (Celbridge)

Ciaran Fitzpatrick (Kilcock)
Fergal Conway (Celbridge)
Hugh McGrillen (Celbridge)

Kevin Feely (Athy)
Tommy Moolick (Leixlip)

Padraig O’Neill (St Laurence’s)
Eoghan O’Flaherty (Carbury)
Paul Cribbin (Johnstownbridge)

Niall Kelly (Athy)
Alan Smith (Sarsfields)
Fionn Dowling (Suncroft)

Subs
Kevin Murnaghan for McGrillen (ht)
Eamonn Callaghan for Dowling (47)
J Byrne for O’Neill (50)
Eanna O’Connor for O’Flaherty (70+1)

Clare

Joe Hayes

Seanie Malone
Kevin Harnett
Martin McMahon

Pearse Lillis
Dean Ryan
Cian O’Dea

Gary Brennan
Cathal O’Connor

Sean Collins
Eoin Cleary
Jamie Malone

Keelan Sexton
David Tubridy
Pat Burke

Subs

Shane McGrath for O’Dea (ht)
Padraic Collins for Sexton (44)
Enda Coughlan for Malone (58)
Sean Haugh for McGrath (67)
Gordon Kelly for Lillis (70+1)

Referee: C Reilly (Meath)

Division 3

Elsewhere in Division 3, Westmeath suffered relegation along with Limerick to the basement division in 2017. Westmeath lost out by 0-13 to 0-11 against Longford, suffering their third successive relegation.

Tipperary grabbed a 3-9 to 0-18 draw over Sligo with Michael Quinlivan, Peter Acheson and Alan Maloney firing their goals. Offaly finished third after their 1-16 to 0-13 succes over Limerick. Sean Pender hit the Faithful goal but they lost out on scoring difference to Clare in the promotion battle.

Division 4

A late Tomas McCann point ensured Antrim grabbed a 0-12 to 1-9 draw against Louth in Belfast. Both teams were already promoted and will face each other in the Division 4 league final on 23 April.

Wexford rounded off their league campaign with a 2-17 to 2-6 victory over Carlow while Wicklow saw off London by 2-10 to 1-10.

Yesterday Waterford narrowly prevailed by 0-10 to 1-6 against Leitrim in Dungarvan.

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