By Charlie Collins
Kildare 1-08 v 0-17 Donegal
Donegal came into this league meeting against bottom of the table Kildare at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow in the knowledge that a win would put them in prime position for a return to Division One and a place in at Division Two final in a couple of weeks, defeat for Kildare would mean relegation to Division Three for 2025.
Four wins and a draw in their previous five games had left them level on points with Armagh with Cavan two behind the top pair but facing a tricky trip to the Box-it Athletic Grounds where anything other than a win would end their hopes of promotion.
Once again the weather wasn’t kind to the players with constant rain making underfoot and ball handling very difficult. Donegal had first minute goal chance, Ciaran Thompson’s effort blocked after good work by Paddy McBrearty and Caolan McGonagle.
A minute later Thompson opened the scoring with a long range point but Kevin Feely replied from a mark. Feely then missed a great goal chance, shooting wide after Donegal had been turned over. Peadar Mogan and Feely exchanged points, 0-02 apiece.
Micheal Langan restored Donegal’s lead from distance and after a scoreless period Caolan McGonagle gave Donegal a two point lead 0-04 to 0-02. Feely responded again but Aaron Doherty and Alex Beirne quickly exchanged points to keep it a one point game, 0-05 to 0-04 to Donegal.
Two super long range points from Micheal Langan and Ciaran Thompson put Donegal three ahead for the first time, 0-07 to 0-04. Shane Farrell pointed from play, Peadar Mogan kicked a cracker but Alex Beirne replied with his second score to leave it a two point game at half-time, 0-08 to 0-06 to Donegal.
Donegal started the second-half with intent, Daire O Baoill and Paddy McBrearty and Micheal Langan all kicking excellent points from play and the lead was out to five points, 0-11 to 0-06. Alex Beirne replied with his third from play and Kevin Feely converted a mark to bring it back to three points again.
Peadar Mogan finished off a super Donegal move with his third point from play, Daire O Baoill kicked his second point, 0-13 to 0-08 but within a minute Kildare were right back in it when Alex Beirne fisted to the net after a excellent sweeping move, just two points in it 0-13 to 1-08.
Odhran Doherty with his first and then Peadar Mogan with his fourth added quick points and with Donegal now in control Oisín Gallen got his first score and Peadar Mogan added his fifth in an outstanding performance as Donegal ran out comfortable winners in the end to secure promotion back to Division One, with just Meath left to visit MacCumhaill Park and then a league final against Armagh in Croke Park on Easter Sunday.
Kildare: Mark Donnellan, Ryan Houlihan, Mick O Grady, Ryan Burke, Paddy McDermott, Eoin Doyle, Jack Sargent, Aaron Masterson, Kevin O’Callaghan, Alex Beirne (1-03), Barry Kelly, Shane Farrell (0-01), Kevin Feely (0-04), Daniel Flynn, Niall Kelly. Subs: Luke Killian for O Callaghan (52mins), Paddy Woodgate for Kelly (55mins), Shane O Sullivan for Niall Kelly (58mins), Brian Byrne for Houlihan (58mins), Tony Archbold for Sargent (68mins).
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Mark Curran, Ciaran Moore, Aaron Doherty (0-01), Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle (0-01), Peadar Mogan (0-05), Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan (0-02), Shane O Donnell, Ciaran Thompson (0-02), Odhran Doherty (0-01), Patrick McBrearty (0-01), Oisin Gallen (0-01), Daire O Baoill (0-2). Subs: Jamie Brennan for McFadden (h/t), Jeaic MacCeallabhui for Odhran Doherty (53mins), Niall O Donnell for Aaron Doherty (55mins), Luke McGlynn and Ronan Gallagher for O Baoill and Thompson (65mins). Referee: Paul Faloon (Down).
