Kildare upset the odds and defeat Roscommon
Lilies end the group in second place ahead of The Rossies
Kildare recorded their first win in the All-Ireland Series when defeating Roscommon by a single point at Tullamore this afternoon.
It was a game where Kildare deserved to take the spoil. Trailing by two at the break the sides were level six times in the second half before a Kevin Feely mark in the 75 minute clinched the win for The Lilies.
Kildare got off a flying start, despite Roscommon opening with a Cian McKeon point from play. Neil Flynn converted a free before Kevin Flynn (mark) had The Lilies in front after seven minutes.
Daniel Flynn added a mark before a great move involving Darragh Kirwan and Kevin Flynn ended with Alex Beirne first-timing the ball to the net and when Beirne added a point for Kildare to lead 1-4 to 0-2, Ciaran Murtagh having converted a free for Roscommon.
It suddenly went all downhill for Kildare with Glenn Ryan's side picking up two black cards inside five minutes; initially Alex Beirne (harsh) followed by Ryan Houlihan.
Before the two returned, Roscommon racked up 1-4, the goal coming from Enda Smith in the 28th minute.
Half-time: Roscommon 1-6 Kildare 1-4.
The second half saw Kildare lift their game considerably, and in a half that saw the sides level on no less than six occasions, a great ball in by Daniel Flynn was brilliantly fetched by the Athy man, wide on the right.
However he fired over the mark despite the acute angle to give Kildare a precious win that sees them finish second in the group and qualify for a home venue in the preliminary quarter final but with Cedral Park St Conleth's Park out of commission we await to see where that game will be played.
The pre-quarter final draw will take place on Morning Ireland at 8.30am.
Scorers: Kildare, Alex Beirne 1-2, Neil Flynn 0-4 (3 frees), Kevin Feely 0-4 (3 marks, 1 free), Ben McCormack 0-3, Kevin O'Callaghan 0-1, Darragh Kirwan 0-1 (mark), Daniel Flynn 0-1 (mark),
Roscommon, Enda Smith 1-3, Ciaran Murtagh 0-4 (3 frees), Cian McKeon 0-3 (1 mark), Ben O'Carroll 0-1, Diarmui Murtagh 0-1 (free), Niall Daly 0-1, Dylan Ruane 0-1, Donie smith 0-1 (free).
KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Ryan Houlihan; Shea Ryan, Eoin Doyle; David Hyland, Kevin Flynn, Jack Sargent; Kevin O'Callaghan, Kevin Feely; Paddy McDermott, Ben McCormack, Alex Beirne; Neil Flynn, Darragh Kirwan, Daniel Flynn. Subs: Darragh Malone for Ryan Houlihan (44 minutes); Tony Archbold for Alex Beirne (58 minutes); Harry O'Neill for Eoin Doyle (64 minutes); Paul Cribbin for Paddy McDermott (70 minutes).
ROSCOMMON: Conor Carroll; Colin Walsh, Brian Stack captain, David Murray; Niall Daly, Eoin McCormack, Conor Daly; Dylan Ruane, Eddie Nolan; Ciaráin Murtagh, Enda Smith, Donie Smith; Cian McKeon, Ben O’Carroll. Diarmuid Murtagh. Subs: Ciaran Lennon for Conor Daly (21 minutes); Conor Hussey for Colin Walsh (41 minutes); Richard Hughes for Eddie Nolan (70 minutes).
REFEREE: Martin McNally, Monaghan.