Oisin MacManus posted 0-10 (0-6fs and 0-2 '65s) as Down opened their Kehoe Cup campaign with a 0-22 to 0-12 victory over Kildare in difficult conditions in Newbridge.

It was a second defeat in eight days for the Lilywhites who also lost heavily to Offaly in the first round. MacManus, Conor Woods, Pearse Óg McCrickard, Ryan McCusker, Matthew Conlon and Eoghan Sands were all on target for Ronan Sheehan's side who were in action in midweek against Ulster University in the Conor McGurk Cup.

The visitors signalled their intent by racing into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead inside six minutes. Conor Dowling and Mark Delaney replied with points for Kildare who trailed by 0-8 to 0-12 at the break.

But they had no answer to the accuracy of corner forward MacManus as the Ardsmen pulled away in the second half.

Down - S Keith; T Murray, C Taggard, M Patterson; M Fisher, C Woods (0-4, 3f), G Hughes; PJ Davidson, M Conlon (0-1); P Og McCrickard (0-2), R McCusker (0-2), R Costello; O MacManus (0-10, 6f, 2'65), E Sands (0-1), T Prenter (0-2). Subs: D Og Roobey for P Og McCrickard, N McFarlane for PJ Davidson, N Fitzsimons for R McCusker, J Murphy for T Prenter.

Kildare - P McKenna; C Gordon, R Boran, S Leacy; N O Muineachain, R Kelly, S Christiansean; P Divilly, C Kielty; T Forde (0-2), L Dempsey (0-1f), C Dowling (0-3); C Smith (0-1), C Forde, S Ryan (0-2). Subs: J Burke for L Dempsey, A Kelly for C Forde, M Delaney (0-3, 2f, 1'65) for P Divilly, J Sheridan for T Forde, C Dervian for S Christiansean, S Whelan for C Kielty, D Costello for C Dowling.

Referee - C Flynn.

Tweet

Most Read Stories