Goals vital as Wicklow avoid the drop

Goals in the first and third quarters boosted Wicklow to a survival success over battling Down in the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A relegation play-off at Trim.

Scorers for Wicklow: E Kearns, J O’Neill (1-0p, 1f) 1-1 each, W O’Gorman, E Glynn 0-3 each, R Keddy, A O’Brien 0-2 each, A Cuddihy, C Moorehouse 0-1 each.

Scorers for Down: P Braniff (11fs) 0-14, A O’Prey, D Toner, M Cunningham (s/l) 0-1 each.

WICKLOW: J Murphy; Jim Connors, G Keogh, B Cuddihy; J Henderson, S Kelly, G Bermingham; E Kearns, R Keddy; John Connors, W O’Gorman, E Dunne; E Glynn, J O’Neill, A O’Brien. Subs: C Moorehouse for John Connors (26), E O’Neill for Jim Connors (49), L Kennedy for Dunne (66).

DOWN: S Keith; M Hughes, S Ennis, J Smyth; F Conway, C Woods, M Ennis; E Clarke, M Cunningham; P Sheehan C Magean, A O’Prey; D Toner, P Braniff, P Keith. Subs: A Savage for Clarke, D Hughes for Sheehan (both 51), M Turley for Keith (57), D Hobbs for Toner (68).

Referee: F Smith (Meath).