Down survive with win over Kerry

DOWN 1-23 KERRY 4-5

Down maintained their Division 2 status with what turned out to be a facile win over fellow strugglers Kerry at Ballycran this afternoon.

A flurry of first half goals - two from James McCarthy and one each from John Mike Dooley and John Griffin - helped bottom side Kerry hit the front.

The Kingdom were 10 points to the good after Griffin's strike on 31 minutes and they were still 4-4 to 1-7 ahead at the break.

James Coyle's goal, set up by a powerful burst from Gareth Johnson, was a crucial score for Down just before half-time.

Jim McKernan's men came out a renewed force for the second half and Down put together point after point.

Amazingly, Down hit 16 points without reply. Paul Braniff was responsible for half of those.

Kerry's sole response was a late point from Dooley.