Kehoe Cup: Kildare 2-17 Down 0-15
DOWN’S Kehoe Cup campaign ended in defeat at Manguard Park in Hawkfield on Saturday as Kildare ran out comfortable winners.
Ronan Sheehan’s men went into the game on four points after victory over Meath and a walkover against Wicklow, but it is the Lilywhites who can now claim the title if they beat the Royals this weekend.
Kildare put down an early marker with two goals inside the opening five minutes – Cian Boran finding the net for the home side inside the opening minute before Jack Sheridan waltzed through the Down defence to add a second.
The Ards men fought hard to get back into the game after that, but there was still six points separating the sides at the break, 2-9 to 0-9.
With the weather taking a turn for the worse after the break, Down were unable to build any momentum and Kildare never looked in danger of defeat despite hitting a total of 17 wides.
Down’s main scoring threat came from free takers Pearse Óg McCrickard, who finished with four points, and half-time substitute Oisín McManus, who added three of his own from placed balls. Jack Sheridan was the main man for Kildare, collecting 1-9.
Down’s attention now turns to the opening weekend of the National Hurling League on February 4, when they will travel to take on Laois in Division 2A.