McDonagh Cup: Kildare advance to final after decisive win over Down

In the end a dozen points separated Kildare and Down in this Round 5 of the Joe McDonagh Cup, a win that sees The Lilies advavnce to the final in two weeks time when they take on Laois who drew with Carlow today, a draw being enouogh to see them through to the final which is a curtain raiser in Croke Park, to the Leinster SHC decider.

But today is all about Brian Dowling's Kildare side, who, despite losing their opening game against Kerry have made it through with four wins on the trot with improvement in every outing.

At Cedral Park St Conleth's Park today Kildare, after a somewhat nervy start, the sides were level at 0-3 apeice before the home side kicked on, pulled clear to lead 0-13 to 0-5 after 29 minutes before David Qualter found the Down net and Kildare were on their way leading 1-14 to 0-7 at the break.

Down improved somewhat on the resumption but Kildare again settled down and with David Qualter in magnificent form from placed balls kept their opponents at bay and while Down did get a late goal, it was a mere consolation, Kildare going on to with somewhat comfortably it has to be said, on a final score line of Kildare 1-26 Down 1-14.

Scorers: Kildare, David Qualter 1-13 (65, 12 frees), Gerry Keegan 0-3, Darragh Melville 0-3, Cathal Dowling 0-1, Paul Dolan 0-1, Simon Leacy 0-1, James Burke 0-1, Cathal McCabe 0-1, Jack Travers 0-1, Killian Harrington 0-1.

Down, Paul Sheehan 0-8 (8 frees), Shea Pucci 1-0, Donal Hughes 0-3, Daithi Sands 0-1, Tim Prenter 0-1, Finn Turpin 0-1,

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Richie Hogan, Rian Boran cpt, Daniel O'Meara; Paul Dolan, Cian Boran, Simon Leacy; Daire Guerin, James Burke; Cathal McCabe, Darragh Melville, David Qualter; Gerry Keegan, Cathal Dowling, Jack Sheridan. Subs: Jack Travers for James Burke (26 minutes); Conn Keogh for Jack Sheridan (56 minutes); Liam O'Reilly for Cathal McCabe (60 minutes); Killian Harrington for Cathal Dowling (64 minutes); Jack Higgins for Gerry Keegan (65 minutes).

DOWN: Stephen Keith; Matt Conlan, Marc Fisher, Niall McFarland; Ruairi McCrickard, Caolan Taggart, Ben Teggart; Tim Prenter, Phelim Savage; Pearse Óg McCrickard, Donal Hughes, Finn Turpin; Paul Sheehan, Eoghan Sands, Daithi Sands. Subs: Chris Egan for Philim Savage (34 minutes); Liam Savage for Marc Fisher (54 minutes); Michael Dorrian for Pearse Óg McCerickard (54 minutes); Shea Pucci for Finn Turpin (58 minutes); Conor Cassidy for Niall McFarland (62 minutes);

REFEREE: Brian Keon, Galway.