Kildare condemn Limerick footballers to Allianz League relegation

LIMERICK senior footballers have been relegation from Division 2 of the Allianz Football League following a 3-10 to 2-7 defeat to Kildare at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday afternoon.

Mark Fitzgerald's side were five points down at the break but produced an excellent second half display, before ultimately falling short when Darragh Kirwan's injury time goal saw Kildare home.

Kildare bossed the opening stages with the first four points. However, Limerick got back into the contest with James Naughton landing two frees.

Glenn Ryan's side pushed back ahead on 21 minutes with a Kevin Flynn goal that helped them to 1-6 to 0-4 half time lead.

Barry Coleman started the second half with a point for Limerick but they spurned several goal chances to get back into the game.

Kildare kept the scoreboard ticking over but a Naughton goal brought Limerick to within three points with 15 minutes left to play. However, Kildare got their second goal moments later to restore a six point advantage. Jack Robinson with the finish.

Limerick did get another goal through Cillian Fahy late on but Kirwan's stunning back heel finish saw Kildare home and safe from relegation.

SCORERS: KILDARE: Darragh Kirwan 1-3, Kevin Flynn, Jack Robinson (0-1 free) 1-1 each, Barry Coffey, Paddy Woodgate (free), Ben McCormack, Neil Flynn, David Hyland 0-1 each; LIMERICK: James Naughton 1-4 (0-3 frees), Cillian Fahy 1-0, Colm McSweeney, Barry Coleman, Brian Donovan 0-1 each.

KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Mick O'Grady, Shea Ryan, Ryan Houlihan; David Hyland, Kevin Flynn, Jack Sargent; Aaron Masterson, Kevin O'Callaghan; Barry Coffey, Ben McCormack, Alex Beirne; Neil Flynn, Darragh Kirwan, Paddy Woodgate. SUBS: Daniel Flynn for Ben McCormack (injured. 29 minutes), Jack Robinson for Neil Flynn (51 minutes), Paul Cribbin for Alex Beirne (54 minutes), Paddy McDermott for Barry Coffey (63 minutes), Eoin Doyle for Paddy Woodgate (71 minutes).

LIMERICK: Donal O'Sullivan; Mike Donovan, Seán O'Dea, Brian Fanning; Barry Coleman, Colm McSweeney, Tony McCarthy; Cathal Downes, Cillian Fahy; Paul Maher, James Naughton, Cian Sheehan; Killian Ryan, Brian Donovan, Hugh Bourke. SUBS: Adrian Enright for Killian Ryan (34 minutes), Gordon Brown for Tony McCarthy (half-time), Peter Nash for Cathal Downes (42 minutes), Robbie Bourke for Barry Coleman (54 minutes), Davy Lyons for Hugh Bourke (66 minutes).

REFEREE: John Ryan (Cork).