KILDARE MOVE CLOSER TO 2B PROMOTION
ALLIANZ NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
KILDARE 4-25
ROSCOMMON 0-10
By Daire Walsh
KILDARE moved a step closer to securing the National Hurling Division 2B title with a comprehensive 27-point victory over Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park this afternoon.
David Slattery and Jack Sheridan helped themselves to a brace of goals as David Herity’s side made it three consecutive wins for 2021.
It had been an even opening to the contest, with Kildare points from Paul Divilly (two) and James Burke being cancelled at the opposite end by Cathal Dolan, Cathal Kenny and Ben McGahon.
However, Confey’s Slattery found the net at an awkward angle in the 14th minute and never looked back from that point. In the space of just 23 minutes, the Lilywhites amassed an astonishing tally of 3-11 without reply – including additional three-pointers courtesy of Slattery and Jack Sheridan.
Returning Celbridge attacker Gerry Keegan also popped up with two points off the bench to propel the visitors into an unassailable 3-15 to 0-4 interval cushion. Despite the appearance of three half-time substitutes, Kildare continued to push forward on the resumption.
Their fourth goal inevitably arrived on 42 minutes when Sheridan drilled a 21-metre free beyond the reach of netminder Enda Lawless and a host of Roscommon defenders. While there was a slight drop-off either side of the second half water break, Sheridan, Divilly, Slattery and Brian Byrne ensured Kildare finished the contest in fine style.
Next up for the Lilies is a winner-takes-all affair against Mayo at MacHale Park, Castlebar next Saturday.
KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Cathal Derivan, Rian Boran, Simon Leacy 0-1; Kevin Whelan, Declan Flaherty, Sean Christanseen 0-1; Kevin Aherne 0-2, Paul Divilly 0-5; Brian Byrne 0-3, James Burke 0-2, Johnny Byrne 0-1; Jack Sheridan 2-5, 1-0f, 0-1 s/line, Shane Ryan, David Slattery 2-1. Subs: Gerry Keegan 0-2 for Ryan (32), Mark Doyle for McKenna, Cian Forde for Derivan, Conor Dowling 0-2 for Burke (all half-time), Colm Chan for Flaherty (39), Tadhg Forde for Keegan (46), Jack Travers for Aherne (48).
ROSCOMMON: Enda Lawless; Paul Dolan 0-1, Darren Fallon, Sean Trundle; Eoghan Costello, Shane Naughton, Peter Kellehan 0-1; Ben McGahon 0-2, Aongus Lyons; Conor Mulry, Jason Kilkenny, Connell Kennelly; Cathal Kenny 0-1, Cathal Dolan 0-5, 4f, Matthew Comerford. Subs: Donal Kelly for Trundle (4), Naos Connaughton for Lyons (35), Cormac Coyle for Fallon (43), Michael Brennan for Mulry, Darragh Heavey for Kenny (both 50), Eoin Coyle for Kilkenny (55).
REFEREE: Kevin Brady (Louth).