Hurlers fall to first league defeat despite brave performance away to Antrim

Antrim 1-16

Allianz NHL Division 2

The Kildare hurlers suffered contrasting fortunes to the footballers this afternoon as they slumped to their first defeat in this year's National League away to Antrim in Cushendall.

In a very tight game it was a spell of four successive points near the end that proved decisive for the Saffrons as they pulled away from Kildare, and though the visitors fought back bravely towards the end, it was ultimately too little too late as Antrim hung on to join Carlow at the top of Division 2A.

A tight first half finished with Kildare going into the dressing rooms with a one point lead as David Reidy's accuracy from frees kept the scoreboard ticking and put the Lilywhites into a 0-8 to 0-7 lead. Ciaran Clarke was impressing for the home side however, while points from Eoghan Campbell and Conor Johnston helped to keep them within striking distance of Kildare.

A goal from Clarke 10 minutes into the second half propelled Antrim into a three-point lead for the first time in the game, but Kildare settled once again and hit back to level matters at 1-12 apiece when Brian Byrne netted shortly before the hour mark. Johnson, Conor McCann and Daniel McKiernan all landed scores on the run in for the home side, and though David Reidy helped to cut the deficit to just two points, Kildare couldn't claw the game back in the end.

It means that Antrim leapfrog Kildare in the table, and the Lilywhites now drop to third place. They now face into games against Carlow and London with no real fear of relegation, but their promotion hopes will ultimately be pinned on the meeting with Carlow.