Kildare win promotion to Division 1B after ten-point triumph
Kildare's Cian Boran rides this challenge against Meath in the National Hurling League. Photo: Sean Brilly
Kildare have been promoted to Division 1B of the Allianz National Hurling League after they had ten points to spare over Meath in Trim earlier this afternoon. A Jack Sheridan goal after 52 minutes was a much needed score after Meath had closed the gap to six points early in that second-half.
It was a superb day for Kildare Hurling as they can look forward to a tilt at the top table in 2026. They opened the brighter and had four points on the board inside the opening six minutes. David Qualter added three to James Burke's opening score, but Jack Regan kept Meath in touch.
Paul Dolan, Qualter and Burke kept the Kildare scoreboard ticking over as they enjoyed the advantage of the breeze.
Kildare outscored Meath by six points to two over the closing seven minutes of the half to lead 0-14 to 0-8 at the break. Qualter bringing his tally to 0-9.
Although Kildare hit ten wides in that opening half, Meath needed to make better use of the breeze. Four early points all from frees kept Kildare on the front foot and despite that Meath revival, led by Jack Regan, it was that Sheridan goal on 52 minutes that would ultimately prove decisive.
Jack Regan did reply with a Meath goal ten minutes later, but Kildare finished the stronger as team captain Rian Boran added two late scores to seal a super victory for Kildare Hurling. A league final next weekend and the Joe McDonagh will keep the celebrations on hold for a few weeks.
D Qualter 0-13 (10f,1'65), J Sheridan 1-1, P Dolan 0-3, J Burke 0-3, R Boran 0-2, C Mc Cabe, C Boran 0-1 each.
J Regan 1-10 (9f), N Potterton 0-2, M Cole, J Kelly 0-1 each.
P McKenna, L O Reilly, S Leacy, R Boran, D O Meara, C Boran, P Dolan, D Guerin, C McCabe, J Burke, C Dowling, M Curtin, J Sheridan, D Melville, D Qualter.
J Travers for M Curtin 41, J Dolan for D Melville 44. K Harrington for D O Meara 57, J Higgins for C Dowling 61.
C O Riordan, S Coloe, D Kelly, M Healy, L Byrne, S Ennis, D Rogers, K Gorman, J Ennis, M Cole, N Potterton, J Toher, S Quigley, D Haly, J Regan.
K Donnelly for M Healy H/T, S Corbet for S Quigley H/T, S Doyle for M Cole 55, J Kelly for D Kelly 58, E Fitzgerald for D Healy 59.
C Doyle (Tipperary)
