Roscommon 0-24

Kildare 2-12

Roscommon turned a three-point interval deficit into a six-point victory at Newbridge to leave Kildare in deep relegation trouble.

Cathal Cregg scored six points from play in an outstanding display of marksmanship to keep the Rossies' promotion hopes of alive and leave Kildare - who have lost four from five - rooted to the bottom of the table.

A desperately disappointing second half for Jason Ryan's side was compounded by late red cards for Eoin Doyle and Eamonn Callaghan, while David Murray was also sent off for Roscommon. Doyle and Murray were dismissed following a 73rd minute fracas, while Callaghan was giving his marching orders at the death.

The Naas man had just won a penalty, but amid all the mayhem, Kildare never got to take it with referee Fergal Kelly deciding to blow for full-time.

The Lilywhites looked to be in a strong position when they led by 2-9 to 0-12 at half-time thanks to goals from Callaghan and Fionn Dowling in the 11th and 18th minutes. Callaghan ran onto Daniel Flynn's pass to finish a low shot to the net. There was an element of luck to Kildare's second major which saw Dowling pounce after Eoghan O'Flaherty's point attempt had come back off the upright.

Midfielder Paul Cribbin decorated an excellent first half display with four points, while Cregg - who hit 0-5 from play against Laois last weekend - kept the visitors in it with three in the first half.

Roscommon came out for the second half with all guns blazing, kicking six unanswered points to take a grip on proceedings. They never looked back after two points each from Ciaran Murtagh and Cregg gave them the lead.

Further efforts from brothers Diarmuid and Ciaran Murtagh as well as substitute Ultan Harney and Cregg pushed them 0-18 to 2-9 in front with 20 minutes remaining.

Gary White and Eoghan O'Flaherty replied for a shell-shocked Kildare before late points from Senan Kilbride (free) and Enda Smith wrapped up an impressive win for John Evans' charges.

Roscommon - D O'Malley; S McDermott, N Carty, N Collins; D Keenan, N Daly (0-1), D Murray; C Shine (0-1), C Daly (0-2); C Cregg (0-6), M Healy, C Cafferkey; D Murtagh (0-4, 3f), S Kilbride (0-3), C Murtagh (0-4, 2f). Subs: E Smith (0-1) for M Healy, U Harney (0-1) for C Cafferkey, I Kilbride for C Murtagh, C Compton (0-1) for D Murtagh, C Connolly for C Cregg.

Kildare - M Donnellan; O Lyons, M O'Grady, E Bolton; K Cribbin, F Conway, E Doyle; G White (0-2), P Cribbin (0-4); D Flynn (0-1), E O'Flaherty (0-4f), P O'Neill; E Callaghan (1-0), T O'Connor, F Dowling (1-0). Subs: A Smith (0-1) for F Dowling, C Fitzpatrick for P O'Neill, P Fogarty for T O'Connor, D Mulhall for D Flynn, T Moolick for G White.

Referee - F Kelly.

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