Kildare hang on

Division One B/ Kildare 0-14 Louth 2-7: Kildare weathered a second-half comeback by visitors Louth to end the weekend at the top of Division One B.

Having dominated the first half at Newbridge yesterday, they were forced to defend as Louth managed to create several goal chances.

In the end Louth converted a couple of goal opportunities, including a penalty, and their wastefulness cost them dearly. In all, Louth hit 18 wides - twice as many as the Lilywhites. It took Louth 15 minutes to get their opening score when midfielder Paddy Keenan pointed but by that stage Kildare had raced into a three-point lead thanks to two scores from the game's top scorer John Doyle and a point by Emmet Bolton.

Louth managed a second point from Aaron Hoey but these were the only scores they managed against a tight-marking Kildare defence. Kildare were far more productive and by the 19th minute they led by 0-5 to 0-2. Doyle contributed most of their tally in the first half and at the interval they led by 0-7 to 0-2.

Louth were a much improved side in the second half and early scores by Darren Clarke and John O'Brien brought them closer. However, a third attack ended in another wide and Kildare then scored two points without reply.

Louth were given something of a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty after Mark Hogarty fouled JP Rooney. Shane Lennon's well-struck shot ended in the net and they closed the gap to a single point when Ray Finnegan pointed.

They never managed to draw level although a second goal later in the half from close range by Lennon narrowed the deficit to the minimum margin.

KILDARE: E Murphy; E Callaghan, D Lyons, A McLoughlin; A Rainbow, M Hogarty, E Bolton (0-3); K Brennan, K O'Neill; J Kavanagh (0-1), J Doyle (0-8, four frees), K Donnelly; T Fennin (0-1, a free), J Phillips, P O'Neill (0-1). Subs: T O'Connor for Donnelly, D McCormack for Fennin, M Scanlon for Hogarty.

LOUTH: S Reynolds; A Page, C Goss, J Carr; J O'Brien (0-1), P McGinnity, R Finnegan (0-1); P Keenan (0-1), R Carroll; C Grimes (0-1, a free), JP Rooney, M Stanfield; A Hoey (0-1), S Lennon (2-0, one penalty), D Clarke (0-1). Subs: JJ Quigley for Stanfield, B White for Hoey, D Reid (0-1)for Grimes.

Referee: T Quigley(Dublin).