Wins for Fermanagh and Armagh keep North on high
KILDARE’S early season woes continue as they remain rooted to the bottom of Division two of the Allianz Football League, after slumping to a four-point defeat in Brewster Park last night.
Goals in either half from Declan McCusker and Sean Cassidy were enough to secure Fermanagh a 2-10 to 0-12 victory, which has left the Erne county with three points after two rounds.
The Lilywhites spent most of the game playing catch-up and never recovered from a howler from goalkeeper Mark Donnellan, who spilled McCusker’s effort for a point into the net to leave the home side leading by 1-7 to 0-4 at half-time.
The defeat means that Kildare, who saw Kevin Feely’s late penalty saved by goalkeeper Ross Bogue, have been left facing into a relegation dog-fight, which could place their Sam Maguire status in jeopardy.
And it won’t get any easier when they resume their campaign on Sunday week, as they get to host Armagh – who maintained their winning start to the season with a 2-16 to 0-10 win over Meath at the Athletic Grounds.
Goals either side of half-time from Cian McConville and Ciaran Mackin was enough to ensure the Orchard County of the win and is likely to leave the Royals also in a battle for their second tier league status.
Elsewhere, Down strolled to a 3-16 to 0-9 win over Limerick in Newry as they continue to set the early season pace in Division 3.
Laois and Carlow are both on full points in Division 4, after the O’Moore county romped to a 1-19 to 0-12 win over Wexford, while Niall Carew’s side had a comfortable 1-17 to 0-9 win over Waterford.
Meanwhile, Henry Shefflin’s Galway hurlers had a facile 23-point win over Westmeath at Pearse Stadium.
A brace of goals from Jason Flynn ensured that the home side romped to a 4-23 to 0-12 win – a result that will only serve to underline why the GAA has moved to reduce the number of top flight teams in the Allianz Hurling League next season from 12 to seven.
All-star forward Conor Whelan came off the bench late in the game to score Galway’s fourth goal.