Dramatic win sees Kingdomback in the hunt

Kerry salvaged their chances of promotion from Division 2A of the Allianz hurling league when they delivered a dramatic 1-24 to 3-17 win over Carlow at Dr Cullen Park, setting up a dramatic final round of games on Sunday.

The Kingdom led by seven points with 13 minutes remaining yesterday afternoon but a late goal from John Michael Nolan pulled the home side back into contention.

Scores from Marty Kavanagh and David English tied up the game by the 70 minute mark, but there was to be one final twist however as Pádraig Boyle was given and gratefully accepted his chance to win the tie with a long range free.

Westmeath face Carlow in what will be essentially a knockout tie Sunday after Niall O’Brien’s 1-11 haul helped them to a 1-22 to 2-10 win over Wicklow at Cusack Park in Mullingar.

Wicklow got out to a fast start with two early goals, but with O’Brien in stunning form, the hosts led by 1-12 to 2-3 at the interval and easily cruised to success.

Kildare continued their unbeaten run in division 2B with a 3-20 to 1-14 win over Mayo at Newbridge, but the real drama in the division was in Trim where Meath looked to have snatched a win over Armagh at the death thanks to a Michael Dunne goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, only to succumb to a 1-17 to 1-15 defeat when Conor Corvan replied in kind for Armagh.

Down eased to a 4-17 to 2-11 win over Donegal at Newry, meaning that anything other than a landslide defeat for the Mourne men in Trim next week will leave Down and Kildare facing off in the divisional final.

In Division 3A there were wins as expected for Tyrone and Roscommon over Louth and Fermanagh respectively, while Monaghan were held to a 0-18 to 2-12 draw with Fingal.

In Division 3B Leitrim beat Sligo and Warwickshire beat Longford.