Kildare 2-9
Down 0-10
Jackie Cahill reports from Páirc Esler, Newry
SUPERSUB DAVID SLATTERY struck twice in the second half as Kildare earned a priceless victory in the race for promotion.
The Confey clubman netted with his first contribution of the game, in the 37th minute, having been introduced as a half-time substitute.
And Slattery was on target again 20 minutes from time as Cian O’Neill’s Kildare moved three points clear at the top of Division 2.
Kildare took the chance to pile the pressure on chasers Galway and Clare by claiming victory before their promotion rivals play.
For Down, this was a disappointing setback after two wins on the spin, and they’re now looking over their shoulders again, having harboured hopes of drawing level with Kildare at the top before throw-in.
In truth, this was a disappointing contest, particularly in the first half as Kildare played with the aid of a squally breeze.
At half-time, they were 0-4 to 0-3 clear, but the sides had managed just three points from play between them before the break.
Two of those were scored by Barry O’Hagan for Down, before his influence on the game diminished.
Kevin Feely knocked over a couple of vital frees for Kildare and goalkeeper Mark Donnellan opened their account from a ’45, having denied Ryan Johnston with a smart early save.
But the game-changer was Slattery’s introduction and in the 37th minute, he finished low to the corner after Daniel Flynn and Feely had created the opening.
With 20 minutes remaining, Slattery struck again and it was another excellent finish from the Confey man.
Niall Kelly, industrious all night, made inroads and released Slattery with an excellent handpass.
Slattery still had work to do but he slipped a shot low past Michael Cunningham in the Down goal.
The hosts, playing in front of 1700 spectators, were up against it now and their task wasn’t made any easier by a black card for sub Alan Davidson, who wasn’t long on the pitch before his dismissal.
Caolan Mooney kicked a couple of lovely second half points but Down would finish the game with 13 men.
With all six subs used, defender Darren O’Hagan limped off injured to leave Down with 14 men.
And they were without the services of sub Jerome Johnston for the closing minutes, after he became the second player black-carded on the night.
Scorers for Kildare: David Slattery 2-0, Kevin Feely 0-5f, Mark Donnellan (45), Ollie Lyons, Paul Cribbin & Tommy Moolick 0-1 each.
Scorers for Down: Darragh O’Hanlon 0-4f, Caolan Mooney & Barry O’Hagan 0-2 each, Kevin McKernan & Jerome Johnston 0-1 each.
Kildare
1. Mark Donnellan (Maynooth)
2. Mick O’Grady (Celbridge)
3. David Hyland (Athy)
4. Ollie Lyons (Celbridge)
5. Johnny Byrne (Allenwood)
6. Eoin Doyle (Naas)
7. Keith Cribbin (Johnstownbridge)
8. Kevin Feely (Athy)
9. Tommy Moolick (Leixlip)
10. Fergal Conway (Celbridge)
11. Niall Kelly (Athy)
12. Paul Cribbin (Johnstownbridge)
13. Cathal McNally (Johnstownbridge)
14. Daniel Flynn (Johnstownbridge)
18. Conor Hartley (Athy)
Subs:
22. David Slattery for McNally (half-time)
17. Fionn Dowling for Hartley (54)
19. Éamonn Callaghan for Slattery (65)
20. Eddie Heavey for Moolick (68)
21. Shea Ryan for Conway (70)
24. Liam Healy for Doyle (70+5).
Down
1. Michael Cunningham (Caisleán an Mhuillin)
2. Ryan McAleenan (Cumann Pheadair Naofa)
3. Brendan McArdle (Eanach Chluain)
4. Darren O’Hagan (Clauin Daimh)
5. Darragh O’Hanlon (Cill Chua)
6. Conaill McGovern (Boireann)
7. Coalan Mooney (Caisleán Ruairi)
8. Aidan Carr (Cluain Daimh)
9. Peter Turley (RGU Dún Phádraig)
10. Kevin McKernan (Boireann)
11. Conor Maginn (Áth Bhriain)
12. Joe Murphy (Baile Colmain)
13. Shay Millar (An Ghleann)
14. Barry O’Hagan (Cluain Daimh)
15. Ryan Johnston (Cill Chua)
Subs:
18. Alan Davidson for Johnston (55)
20. Niall Donnelly for Carr (57)
23. Jerome Johnston for Davidson (b/c 63)
25. Mark Poland for Maginn (66)
26. Sean Dornan for Millar (69)
22. Cathal Magee for Turley (69).
Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)
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Wow the second Andy Lee article in a few days and six short paragraphs well done lads. At least it wasn’t a copy of a newstalk interview like the previous one. The 42 has spend the last 6 months banging on about MMA and Conor Mcgregor relentlessly. Multiple articles a day. All the while Andy Lee, an actual World Champion, has been pretty much ignored. The coverage before his last fight was utterly pathetic one article the week of the fight. One!
Might top that this time round. Although Conor McGregor might tweet something during the week so that will probably take up sometime.Lee is a class act and a complete gentlemen and gets involved in none of the nonsense seen at the convention centre last week. Maybe ye guys could give someone the whole country can rally around a bit more prominence.
Well said
Boxing as a sport is living off its past glories. It is boring and slow these days, when compared to other forms of combat.
It says it all that the biggest fight in boxing is between a pair of old men. If boxing wanted to help itself, it should have forced may weather and pacman to fight years ago….instead they are doing it now when they are both well past their prime and looking for one last paycheck.
Don’t get me wrong…..Andy lee is a great ambassador and I wish him well, but boxing is the past…mma is the future
You’d swear you had to pay for the 42..
Skippy, well said.
Patrick, your meaningless twaddle could’ve been condensed a tad itself
In fairness Patrick not many media outlets are covering Andy lee and I’m not sure why, possible because he is based in New York the last few years. It’s bad form but there is no need to knock MMA because of it. MMA fans have waited a long time for a genuine contender to back and support and mcgregor, for all the show boating and publicity stunts is a disciplined hard working athlete.
Never has there been so little fuss about an Irish World Champion as Andy Lee
Its a disgrace. Im a big Andy fan n rate him as one of Irelands best ever but its neither Conors nor MMA’s fault the media tend to over look his achievements n how well he’s represented Ireland throughout his career.
Conor is breaking new ground n he is doing an AMAZING job for Ireland in wat is still a new sport.
Andy has done an amazing job so far representing us in a traditional & established sport n the media coverage he doesnt get from the national press is disgusting but that isnt Conor’s nor MMA’s fault.
Theres room for both sports n theres room for two superstars on our island, give Conor his due n leave him outa yer idiotic “Either/Or” equations when talkin about Andy
Absolutely.
I think Conor is fantastic. Just wish Andy Lee got a bit more recognition.
MacGregor has certainly put MMA on the map in Ireland
Technically Andy right now is boxing better than any Irish boxer Ive ever seen n Id go so far as to say that technically he is now shoulder to shoulder with GGG.
Not many will agree because he doesnt get the coverage n respect he deserves but its theres a more battle proven, harder punching boxer with better stamina right now then its maybe Kovalev whos my Lb for Lb number 1 right now or Golovkin who I dont say much good about coz hes in tha same division as Andy & Jay Quigley.
Right now Adny Lee is the fighter we were all expecting to come outa the Kronk Gym. Hes like a coiled spring n is hitting harder than ever like a cobra striking, like the Motor city Cobra himself Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns a genuine all time great.
Im not joking when I say that Andy is Irelands Tommy Hearns, hes the Limerick City Cobra. Nobody in the sport has paid the dues Andy Lee has n the wealth of knowledge he has acquired in the sport from Training with the likes of Tommy Hearns is now all starting to shine.
Andy is the Real McCoy n after he KO’s Quillin on sat night not just the Irish Press will be kissin his ass but the Brits will be too.
Carl Froch ?
Hes a Good’un but Andy isnt more than 3 high level defences away from him.
Roy Jones Jr had a great lead hook but Andy Lee has the most powerful lead hook Ive seen since Mickey Wards.
Its disgusting the lack of acknowledgement he gets n it can be coz of nothing other than politics.
As far as i am aware the42.ie have been known to sponsor an MMA fighter and his corner recently so it would make reasonable sense that they would promote the sport. You also cannot argue with the growth in MMA interest lately