Win for Kildare, but joy for Clare

Kildare 0-22 Clare 1-14: Despite losing out to Kildare in a high-octane shootout, Clare will still join their conquerors in Division 2 next year.

Colm Collins’ men couldn’t rely on Longford getting the desired result against Westmeath though and played with real vigour for 56 minutes, causing the table-toppers untold problems defensively at St Conleth’s Park.

They led by two points at that stage, after Jamie Malone kicked his fourth point from play, but that was to be their last score of the game, while Kildare hit seven on the trot to seal the win.