Hurling

Joe McDonagh Cup

Down 1-27 Kildare 3-13

By Ger McNally at Mainguard Plus Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence

Pearse Óg McCrickard scored a brilliant 15 points as Down defeated Kildare in Hawkfield this evening to preserve their status in the McDonagh Cup next year, while sending their hosts plummeting through the trapdoor and down to Christy Ring level. 

There was no trophy presented at the end of the game, but this very much had the feel of a final with both sides battling for their lives. Down just carried that extra edge with McCrickard in outstanding form, and the return of the two Sands, Daithi and Eoghan, also having a big impact for the Ulster side. 

Down hit the ground running early on and raced into an 0-4 to 0-1 lead. By the time that had turned into a 0-9 to 0-3 lead in the 18th minute, it was clear who was having the upper hand. 

A 22nd minute goal by Declan Flaherty brought Kildare back into the game but McCrickard answered back with two points and Mark Fisher added another. Kildare replied with a spell of three successive points to the bring the gap back to three again, but it was Down who scored the last three points of the half in a pivotal spell to leave them 0-15 to 1-6 heading to the dressing rooms. 

Kildare needed a quick start to the second half and scored the first two points after the restart through David Qualter but those scores were quickly wiped out by three Down points, including another two by McCrickard.

The excellent McCrickard scored again in the 48th minute to make it 0-20 to 1-10 as Down threatened to run away with the game, but Kildare were handed a lifeline when James Burke was fouled inside the square and goalkeeper Paddy McKenna converted the penalty.

Cian Shanahan added a point to leave three between the teams but once more, Down had the answers and when three points were followed by Eoghan Sands goal in the 64th minute, after brilliant approach play by Tim Prenter, the game was as good as up. 

Kildare did get the consolation of a second penalty in injury time by McKenna, but that barely raised a cheer from the home support and a season that promised so much for Kildare through a spectacular league season has ultimately ended in a crushing Championship relegation.

For Down, they made sure of another season of McDonagh Cup hurling. 

Scorers for Down: Pearse Óg McCrickard 0-15 (8fs, 165), Liam Savage 0-4, Eoghan Sands 1-0, Caolan Taggart 0-3, Finn Turpin 0-2, Mark Fisher, John McManus, and Jordan Doran 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: Paddy McKenna 2-0 (2-0 pens), David Qualter 0-5 (4fs), Declan Flaherty 1-0, Cian Boran and Gerry Keegan 0-2 each, Cian Shanahan, Cathal McCabe, Johnny Byrne, and James Burke 0-1 each.

Down: Stephen Keith; Darragh Mallon, Caolan Taggart, John McManus, Matt Conlon, Ruairi McCrickard, Mark Fisher; Jordan Doran, Peare Óg McCrickard; Daithi Sands, Eoghan Sands, Finn Turpin, Oisin McManus, Liam Savage, Chris Egan.

Subs: Ryan McCusker for Doran, 49; Stuart Martin for Egan, 49; Tim Prenter for O McManus, 62; Paul Sheehan for E Sands, 64; Niall McFarland for J McManus, 70+2. 

Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Niall O’Muineacháin, Rian Boran, Cian Shanahan, Cathal McCabe, Simon Leacy, Alan Goss; Brian Byrne, Killian Harrington; Johnny Byrne, James Burke, Gerry Keegan, David Qualter, Declan Flaherty, Cian Boran.

Subs: Paul Divilly for Harrington, 27; Jack Travers for Goss, h/t; Cormac Byrne for Flaherty, 45; Paul Dolan for Divilly, 63; Richie Hogan for Qualter, 65. 

Referee: Kevin Jordan.