14 man Derry fight back to defeat Kildare

Derry defeated Kildare by three points in an incredible game of football at Cederal St Conelthb's Park, Newbridge, this evening in Round 3 of the AFL Division 2.

In deplorable conditions the visitors played for part of the opening half with 12 players, but despite playing aginst the wind in the second half, came back from a four point deficit at half-time to take honours.

Two goals inside a minute at the start of the second  half were the vital scores but Kildare batted back to get within a point of the visitors befor finally giving way 3-15 to 1-18

Playing with the wind, sleet and rain in the opening half Derry opened a quick three-point lead before Kildare replied through Brian McLoughlin. However on the kick-out Derry's captain Conor Glass was shown a straight red for an off-the-ball foul on Callum Bolton, after just six minutes.

Kildare hit three points through McLoughlin, Loakman and Cully to take the lead.

Derry hit back with a Lachlan Murray point and a brilliant two-point free from Shane Mcguigan to go two clear and McGuigan quickly added a goal to put Derry in front 1-6 to 0-5 on 15 minutes but that was to be the visitors last score of the half.

Ben McLoakman point was followed by a black for Niall Loughlin; Loakman came with another point before Alex Beirne was shown a red; Derry's Conor Doherty a black as tempers flared.

Kildare were now dominant, hit three points on the trot before a Briand McLoughlin free some 25m deceived Shea McGuckin and ended in the net to make it 1-0 to 1-6 at half-time as Derry's two black carded players re-appeared.

Kildare scored the opening point of the second half but goals from Paul Cassidy and Lachliln Murray put them in the driving seat.

As conditions deteriorated Kildare fought back but in fairness Derry worked so hard with 14 men and in the end deservedly took the honoours on a final score line fo Derry 3-15 Kildare 1-18.

Scorers: Derry, Shane McGuigan 1-5 (1 two-pointer, 1 free), Lachhlan Murray 1-3, Paul Cassidy 1-0, Niall Loughlin 0-3, Conor Doherty 0-3 (one two-pointer), Matthew Downey 0-1.

Kildare, Ben Loakman 0-10 (2 two-pointers, 2 frees), Brian McLouglin 1-2, Callum Bolton 0-2, Eoin Cully 0-2, Colm Moran 0-1, Neil Flynn 0-1.

KILDARE: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Padraic Spillane, Ryan Burke; James Harris, Eoin Lawlor, Brian Byrne; Kevin Feely cpt., Brendan Gibbons; Brian McLoughlin, Callum Bolton, Colm Moran; Ben Loakman, Alex Beirne, Eoin Cully. Subs: Darragh Kirwan for Colm Moran (44 minutes); Jack McKevitt for James Harris (44 minutes); Sam Doran for Kevin Feely (59 minutes); Neil Flynn for Brian McLoughlin (64 minutes); James McGrath for Harry O'Neill (74 minutes);

DERRY: Shea McGuckin; Diarmuid Baker, Ruairi Forbes, Seand Young; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty, Shea Downey, Paul Cassidy; Niall Loughlin, Shane McGuigan, Lachlan Murray. Subs: Matthew Downey for Sean Young (half-time); Niall Toner for Shea Downey (59 minutes); Conor McAteer for Niall Loughlin (74 minutes);

REFREE: David Gough, Meath.