A stumble but no fall; How Kildare got promoted from Division 3

Kildare 1-26

Antrim 1-15

The final score line may be somewhat flattering but there was little doubt who was the better team as Kildare overcame the challenge of Antrim by 11 points in the final game in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League.

The win not only sees Kildare book a place in the divisional final this Sturday, time and venue tba, but more importantly they gain promotion to Division 2 come the season of 2026.

Promotion was the No 1 objective for Brian Flanagan's team before a ball was even kicked in anger and while they stuttered and stumbled against Clare and Offaly, overall they did enough to make it through on scoring aggregrate over Offaly, also promoted and Saturday's finalists, and Clare who will count themselves somewhat unfortunate to have missed out going up for the second year in a row.

In front of a healthy attendance at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbrige, on a dry, but bitterly cold afternoon with a very strong breeze blowing straight down into the Kilcullen end, it was the home side who opened impressively, akin to the start they had when putting away neighbours Laois earlier in the league.

Niall Kelly and Callum Bolton had The Lilies up and running with early scores, followed by a fine point from the aforementioned Bolton after Kevin Feely had plucked Cian Burke's kick-out out of the sky.

Kildare were dominant in the early stages and points from Nial Kelly, Alex Beirne (free) had Kildare ahead 0-6 to 0-0 with 14 minutes on the clock.

Antrim then hit the first of no less than five two-pointers, this one from midfielder Conor Stewart on 15 minutes.
Ryan Sinkey replied with an excellent white flag but the boys from the Glens hit another two-pointer this time from Dominic McEnhill to cut the deficit back to three points.

Colm Dalton got the first of his two points but McEnhill was again on the money when he landed a two-pointer free; Conor Steward long range effort went over (the ball hopping over the bar but the referee insisted it was just a single point) to leave just one point separating the sides on 26 minutes.

Kildare fell foul to the 4x3 new rule, the ball brought forward to the edge of the arc and McEnhill was again on hand to knock-over a two-pointer and give his side a one point lead 0-9 to 0-8.

Playing against the strong wind Kildare looked a little shell-shocked as Antrim poured forward as Ryan McQuillan converted a free to push the lead out to two.

Alex Beirne made a fine run but his goal attempt went left and wide but the Naas man reduced the lead back to one soon after.
And while that was the home side's last point of the half, Antrim were far from finished and added two more two-pointers, one from Patrick McBride and the second, after Kildare were inexplicitly caught on the wrong side of the 4x3 rule again, Dominic McEnhill knocking over the two-pointer from the edge of the arc again to leave the half-time score reading Antrim 0-14 Kildare 0-9.

Despite Kildare having the strong wind on their backs these were anxious moments for The Lilies and it was Antrim who had the opening two attacks on the resumption with many Kildare fans showing signs of a little anxiety.

A wide from Alex Beirne was followed by a point from half-time substitute Ben McCormack give the home side a bit of a lift. Keeper, Cian Burke, making his senior debut, was called into action but was more than equal to the task as he cleared his lines twice before Kildare attacked from the back through Alex Beirne who found Niall Kelly off his shoulder, the Athy man showing all his experience found the Antrim net with a top class finish.

The Kildare fans were now in full cry, trailing by just a point with 47 minutes on the clock.

Colm Dalton had the sides level a minute later and while Kevin Feely's long-range free fell short it didn't take too long before Kildare got their noses in front and it was that man Niall Kelly who had the fans on their feet quickly followed by an Ben McCormack special.

It was all Kildare at this stage, second half substitute Paddy McDermott was next to register for The Lilies, followed by Darragh Kirwan (back after missing the last few games through injury) firing over a close-in free after the ball was brought forward following a infringement after a mark.

It was not until the 59 minute that Antrim got their first score of the second half, a point from Ryan McQuillan to make it 1-17 to 0-15.

Kevin Feely added a free before Antrim replied with a goal from Fionn Nagle that reduced the lead back to three points.
But Kildare put in a storming finish hitting no less than seven unanswered points from Darragh Kirwan (two), Alex Beirne two (one free), Niall Kelly, Brian McLoughlin and Tony Archbold to leave eleven points between the sides on a final score line of Kildare 1-26 Antrim 1-15.

And so mission accomplished after an excellent start, a lull before half-time before taking command once they had the advantage of the wind in their favour.

Eleven points is probably a little hard on the Antrim side who certainly gave it their all and while it was always a long shot that would avoid relegation they did not let that situation hold them back.

Andy McEntee's side now have a major decision to make over the next week or two as they have been drawn to take on All-Ireland champions, Armagh, in the opening round of the Ulster Championship. However, despite entitled to a home game, the Ulster Council has deemed Corrigan Park not suitable and have fixed the game for Newry.

Antrim players and management have said they will not play anywhere other than their home venue, reminiscent of the

Newbridge Or Nowhere scenario of 2018 and it seems if they (or the Ulster Council) do not have a change of heart Antrim's season could have ended in Newbridge on Sunday.

Hopefully sense, common sense will prevail and Antrim get what they deserve a home game against Armagh.

For Kildare they are off to Croke Park on Saturday (1.45) and another tilt with Offaly who defeated them just a few weeks previously.

An ideal game before taking on Westmeath in Newbridge in a few weeks time in the Leinster Championship.

Ben McCormack came off with an injury on Sunday and hopefully he will be fit to play; Kevin Flynn is expected back to full training this week and with Darragh Kirwan back to full tilt, things are certainly looking good for The Lilies.

SCORERS
Kildare: Niall Kelly 1-4, Alex Beirne 0-6 (1 two-pointer free, 1 free), Darragh Kirwan 0-5 (1 two-pointer), Callum Bolton 0-2, Colm Dalton 0-2, Ben McCormack 0-2, Ryan Sinkey 0-1, Kevin Feely 0-1 (free), Brian McLoughlin 0-1, Paddy McDermott 0-1, Tony Archbold 0-1.

Antrim: Dominic McEnhill 0-8 (1 two-pointer, 3 two-pointer free); Conor Stewart 0-3 (one two-pointer); Patrick McBride 0-2 (two-pointer); Fionn Nagle 1-0, Ryan McQuillan 0-2 (1 free).

TEAMS

Kildare: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Mick O'Grady, Brian Byrne; Ryan Houlihan, James McGrath, David Hyland; Callum Bolton, Aaron Masterson; Cathal Hagney, Alex Beirne, Colm Dalton; Ryan Sinkey, Kevin Feely, Niall Kelly. Subs: Ben McCormack for Cathal Hagney (half-time); Paddy McDermott for Aaron Masterson (44 minutes); Darragh Kirwan for Ryan Sinkey (50 minutes); Brian McLoughlin for Ben McCormack (63 minutes (63 minutes); Tony Archbold for Alex Beirne 970 minutes).

Antrim: Luke Mulholland; Eoghan McCabe, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keegan; James McAuley, Jack Lenehan, Dermot McAleese; Conor Stewart, Patrick Finnegan; Patrick McBride, Niall Burns, Ruairi McCann; Conor Hand, Dominic McEnhill, Ryan McQuillan. Subs: Eunan Quinn for Conor Hand (41 minutes); Fionn Nagle for Patrick Finnegan (50 minutes); Ronan Boyle for Kavan Keenan (60 minutes); Calum Higgins for Niall Burns (65 minutes); James McDonnell for Eunan Walsh (68 minutes).

REFEREE: Brendan Griffin, Kerry.

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