Kildare hurlers close but nothing gained in Ballycran

Down 2-19

Kildare 0-22

Kildare's long trip north for the opening round of the Alliance National Hurling League resulted in a three point defeat but it was a game that will have left Kildare players and management wondering what might have been.

Ten opening half wides and a missed penalty against a stiff breeze meant Kildare could and should have had a comfortable half time advantage but instead they trailed by four.

Two opening half goals and a four point burst over the closing minutes was enough to see the home side over the line in a cold and blustery Ballycran.

Kildare started the brightest and opening points from Daire Guerin, the returning Jack Travers and a David Qualter free left them three ahead after 5 minutes.

Daragh Melville was involved in all three scores and after Tim Prenter opened the Down account on 6 it was Melville who again set up James Burke to restore the three point buffer.

David Qualter and Pheilim Savage traded points before Daragh Melville was rewarded for his hard work adding a fine point from a tight angle.

Kildare were in full control at this stage but five wides inside those opening ten minutes were to prove vital in the context of the game.A quick puck out following Melville's point saw the experienced Caolan Taggart drive long into the heart of the Kildare full backline.

It fell kindly for Daithi Sands aa he shot low past Paddy McKenna.

Sixty seconds later Sands levelled matters from 30 metres.

Kildare's bright start was suddenly wiped out.Daragh Melville and Pearse Og McCrickard were both on target and with 15 minutes left the sides couldn't be separated.

David Qualter,from a free and James Burke edged Kildare two ahead again but a further three wides meant should have extended the advantage.

Twenty seven minutes in and a long ball from team captain Rian Boran on top of James Burke saw the Naas man fouled.
Thomas Gleeson pointed to the spot and goal keeper Paddy McKenna was on his way.

While his initial attempt to lift wasn't successful his shot was high and an easy save for Stephen Keith in the Down goal.

It was a save that lifted Down. McCrickard, Prenter and two Tom McGrattan whites flags helped push the home side back two ahead.

As we moved inside the closing two minutes of the half Kildare were dealt another hammer blow when a quick passing move resulted in Shea Pucci getting on the end of Daithi Sands pass and he fired low past Paddy McKenna.

A late foul on Cathal Dowling saw David Qualter ad his fourth point of the half but Kildare went to the dressing rooms trailing 2-8 to 0-10.

With the wind advantage for Kildare at the change of ends it was Down who made the perfect start.

Tom McGrattan added another free inside a minute.A brilliant save from Paddy McKenna kept the gap at five but Kildare responded with another Qualter free and a brilliant long range effort from wing back Dan O'Meara.

Down were starting to get the upper hand and they cemented their superiority with four points in a row to move seven ahead after 46 minutes.

Tom McGrattan pointed from two frees and a '65 before full forward Chris Egan got his first to open the advantage.

Kildare started to ring the changes.Muiris Curtin replaced the injured Cian Boran and Gerry Keegan made a welcome return to centre forward Kildare outscored Down by 9 points to 1 over the next 15 minutes to move a point up with three minutes of normal remaining.

An unlikely victory was within grasp.

Six pointed frees from David Qualter two from Gerry Keegan and a brilliant Muiris Curtin effort from an angle all came either side of a Tom McGrattan free.

Paddy McKenna was again called into action with another fine save and Kildare were within touching distance of two points. Ballycran has been somewhat of a fortress for Down over the years and they weren't about to surrender without one last push.

Pheilim Savage levelled on 68 before late points from Tim Prenter, Tom McGrattan and Finn Turpin all added points before Cathal Dowling added a late Kildare point but time ran out as the home side held on for a 2-19 to 0-22 win.

A difficult afternoon for Brian Dowling and his charges and while their were positives they have room for massive improvement before the visit of Kerry next Saturday.

Injuries are piling up and this will be of concern at such an early juncture of the season.

The previous days storm meant no electricity in Ballycran for management or press and no showers for the Kildare players following the game. They were facilitated further up the road but surely a visit to Newry would have made more sense for players and supporters alike.

MAIN MAN
David Qualter
Although Kildare came away with a three point defeat there were some encouraging performances. Simon Leacy and Dan O Meara were solid in defence. Cian Boran, before injury and Paul Dolan wete solid.Daire Guerin was excellent throughout. Cathal Dowling is getting back to his best but with 0-11 David Qualter has Kildare's standout performer.

TURNING POINT
While Kildare's accuracy improved after the break it was the ten opening half wides and a missed penalty that proved to be the main turning and talking points of the contest. When Kildare did hit the front late on they failed to see it out.

SCORE OF THE GAME
David Qualter hit some wonderful points from his frees.James Burke,Daragh Melville and Gerry Keegan all hit good scores but Dan O Meara's 42nd minute point from inside his own half was an inspirational score as Kildare trailed in the game.

WHAT NOW?
Kildare will be back in action next Saturday at home to Kerry.

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna, John McKeon, Simon Leacy, Rian Boran, Daniel O Meara 0-1, Cathal McCabe, Daire Guerin 0-1, Cian Boran, Paul Dolan, Daragh Melville 0-2, Conn Kehoe, Jack Travers 0-1, David Qualter 0-11 (10 frees),James Burke 0-2, Cathal Dowling 0-1. Subs: M Curtin 0-1 for C Boran 41 G Keegan 0-2 for C Kehoe 44 J Dolan for J Travers 56 J Higgins for D Melville 65.

DOWN: Stephen Keith, Matt Conlan, Tom Murray, John McManus, Marc Fisher, Caolan Taggart, Shea Pucci 1-1.,Liam Savage, Pheilim Savage 0-2,Pearse Og McCrickard 0-2, Eoghan Sands, Tim Prenter, 0-3 Daithi Sands 1-1,Chris Egan 0-1,Tom McGrattan 0-8 (1'65 6 frees). Subs: R Beatty for S Pucci 45; F Turpin 0-1 for E Sands 53; N McFarland for M Fisher 55; D Toner for C Egan 63; G Hughes for L Savage 68.

REFEREE: Thomas Gleeson Dublin