Slatt’s the way to do it for Lilies
Down 0-10 Kildare 2-9
SUPERSUB David Slattery hit two second half goals to cement Kildare’s position at the top of Division Two.
Slattery netted in the 37th and 50th minutes to give a major boost to Kildare’s promotion hopes.
The hosts finished with 13 players when defender Darren O’hagan went off injured and sub Jerome Johnston was black-carded.
Kildare were the better outfit as Down, despite two fine points from Coalan Mooney, were outclassed in the second half.
Kildare had midfielder Kevin Feely in good freetaking form and the decision to bring on Slattery for Cathal Mcnally was a masterstroke on manager Cian O’neill’s behalf.
Down full-forward Barry O’hagan looked good early on and he kicked two points within the first 13 minutes.
But as the half wore on, he became a far more isolated figure.
A patient build-up led to O’hagan’s first point in the second minute before Down went close to a third-minute goal, Mark Donnellan keeping out Ryan Johnston with a smart save.
Donnellan turned scorer three minutes later, converting a ’45 to open Kildare’s account, but O’hagan’s second point restored Down’s lead.
Tommy Moolick levelled matters with an 18th-minute point for Kildare before Feely’s two frees to sent the Lilywhites 0-4 to 0-2 clear.
Darragh O’hanlon had the final say of the first half, converting a close-in free to keep Down in touch at the break, trailing by 0-3 to 0-4.
But Slattery would have the big say in the second half with two clinical strikes.