Mission accomplished for Dowling's Kildare

Paddy Boland of Carlow catches the ball behind Kildare full back Rian Boran.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B: Kildare 3-22 Carlow 1-19

Despite missing the suspended Jack Sheridan and injured key attacker Cathal Dowling, Kildare secured their place in Division 1B with a nine-point win at Cedral St Conleths Park.

The job was mostly done in the first half. Wing back Paul Dolan scored four outstanding points from long range inside the opening 26 minutes and Kildare led by nine having enjoyed the wind advantage, 0-17 to 0-8.

The goals arrived in the second half. Just three minutes after the restart, Muiris Curtin sent Daire Guerin in and he blasted home. Six minutes later, Simon Leacy played the final pass to Cathal McCabe, who finished calmly.

Carlow pulled a goal back in the 48th minute when Paddy Boland turned home from close range. But just a minute later, Kildare scored their third when Curtin finished a goalmouth scramble.

Carlow did rally late on, despite a second yellow card for Marty Kavanagh, but it was mission accomplished for Brian Dowling's side, who still have an outside chance of promotion, though they'd need Dublin to slip on the last day.

“Thrilled to get the win,” said Dowling.

“Six points on the board secures our safety and for the lads to be mathematically in with a chance of reaching a league final with a game to go is a brilliant place to be. There’s a lot of things for that to happen but to be even in with a chance shows how far the group has come."

Dowling was a touch concerned with his side's late fade, having led by 17 at one stage.

“The game was probably over but that’s definitely an aspect that we have to look at. We’re playing serious teams in the Leinster Championship and we’ll have to finish games stronger. 

"We have to be finishing really, really strong and that’s something that we are going to be focussing on over the next few weeks."

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Liam O’Reilly, Rian Boran, Dan O’Meara, Paul Dolan 0-4, Cian Boran, Simon Leacy; Conan Boran 0-1, Cathal McCabe 1-1; Gerry Keegan 0-2, Daire Guerin 1-0, David Qualter 0-10 (9fs, 1’65), Tim Ryan 0-1, Muiris Curtin 1-2, James Dolan 0-1.

Subs: Harry Carroll for McCabe, 48; Caolan Smith for Dolan, 52; Darragh Melville for Conan Boran, 67; Cathal Derivan for O’Reilly, 69; Evan O’Briain for Guerin, 70.

CARLOW: Brian Tracey; Niall Bolger, Tadhg O’Neill, Paidí O’Shea, Fiach O’Toole 0-1, Kevin McDonald, Eric English; Fiachra Fitzpatrick 0-1, Donagh Murphy 0-1; Jon Nolan 0-2, Jack Treacy 0-2, Kevin Kavanagh, John Michael Nolan, Chris Nolan 0-5 (2fs, 1’65), Marty Kavanagh 0-6 (5fs).

Subs: Colm Beck for K Kavanagh, 24; Paddy Boland 1-1 for JM Nolan, 43; Conaill Fitzpatrick for English, 43; Ciaran Whelan for O’Neill, 58; Colm Kavanagh for Murphy, 67.

Referee: Niall Malone (Clare).