Kildare showing promotion credentials

SHARPSHOOTER: James Burke of Naas and Kildare. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Longstanding supporters of Kildare hurling may recall how in 1971, the Short Grass county lost a league promotion playoff to Clare, despite leading by four points with ten minutes to play. That was the closest the county has ever come to promotion to the top tier of the hurling league, but Saturday’s 0-25 to 0-11 win over Carlow would suggest that David Herity’s side could yet put themselves right into the promotion mix this year.

Kevin McDonald and Richard Coady struck some good points to keep Carlow in contention early on after they fell behind by 0-5 to 0-1, but James Burke rifled over 0-11, 0-9 from frees, while ten Kildare players scored from play in a comfortable 0-25 to 0-11 win, placing them on top of the Division 2A table.