Hurling: Down beat Kildare in battle of promotion hopefuls, Donegal give Meath a scare

Meath were expected to win easily on Saturday but Donegal had other ideas. 

Daithí Sands and Shea Pucci scored goals for Down in their AHL Division 2 win against Kildare. Pic: Ray McManus, Sportsfile

Down’s win over Kildare in a battle between two promotion front-runners was the big story in Division Two of the Allianz Hurling League over the weekend, but that was almost eclipsed by Donegal, who came agonizingly close to recording a shock win over Meath in Trim.

Cian Rogers goaled for the Royals after six minutes but a Luke White penalty for Donegal left just a point in it at half-time, 1-7 to 1-6, in a contest where Meath were expected to win at their ease. Jack Regan fired their second goal early in the second half but they never pulled away from their opponents and Gerry Gilmore’s freetaking as well as three points from Brian McIntyre nudged Donegal in front going into the latter stages.