Kildare join Westmeath in consecutive relegations after Galway defeat

Galway 3-12 Kildare 1-12

Kildare will play Division Three football next year after a six-point defeat to Galway saw them relegated for the second year in a row.

Shane Walsh’s goal in the first half saw Galway lead by 1-10 to 0-7 at half time despite playing against the wind, and Kildare manager Jason Ryan knew that left them with an uphill battle on their hands.

“Six points was too much of a gap. We got it down to three at the start of the second half and the second goal really, really hurt us.

“It’s very disappointing, it’s disheartening. Losing any game is disappointing and disheartening but to get relegated is very hard to take,” he said.

Fiontain O’Curraoin got second goal for the Tribesmen in the 48th minute just when it seemed Kildare were rallying, and Walsh got his second ten minutes later to wrap it up.

The win ensured Galway’s survival and manager Kevin Walsh wants them to push on in the championship.

“I think what is most important for us is that we get a system in play, that we can try and get the Galway football type of style back.”

Kildare had goalkeeper Mark Donnellan to thank in the first half for twice denying Galway with excellent saves from Sean Denvir and Walsh.

But Walsh was accurate with his second attempt at goal in the 26th minute as he rifled past Donnellan after being played through on goal by Peader Og Griofa. The home side tagged on three points before the interval to lead comfortably at the break.

Kildare looked sharper in the second half and scored the first three points after the break as the visitors looked to stage a comeback. But Galway soon restored their six point lead as O’Curraoin found the net after reacting quickest when Damien Comer fisted the ball against the post.

Galway goalkeeper Manus Breathnach denied Kildare substitute Cathal McNally in the 58th minute and the Tribesmen countered. The ball eventually found its way to Walsh and the Kilkerrin-Clonberne clubman scored Galway’s third goal to open up a nine-point lead.

The Leinster side were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute after an O’Curraoin foot-block earned him a second yellow card. Substitute Mikey Conway stepped up but saw his penalty rattle off the post and Galway cleared. The visitors did get a goal in injury time through substitute Daniel Flynn but by then they were already on their way to Division Three.

Galway: M Breathnach (0-1, '45); J Duane, F Hanley, C Sweeney; G O'Donnell, G Bradshaw, P Varley; F O'Curraoin (1-1), P Conroy (0-3, 0-2 frees); G Sice (0-1), S Walsh (2-1), S Denvir; P Og Griofa (0-4, 0-3 frees), P Sweeney (0-1), M Lundy.

Subs: L Silke for Bradshaw (40 mins), D Comer for P Sweeney (46 mins), A Varley for Comer (54 mins), C Healy for O’Griofa (70 mins), E Hoare for Denvir (70 mins).

Kildare: M Donnellan; O Lyons, C Fitzpatrick, M O'Grady; P Kelly, F Conway, E Bolton; G White (0-2), P Cribbin (0-2); K Cribbin, E O'Flaherty (0-1, free), F Dowling; A Smith (0-2), P Fogarty (0-1), E Callaghan (0-1).

Subs: D Hyland for Fitzpatrick (h-t), D Flynn (1-1) for Fogarty (h-t), T Moolick for White (50 mins), C McNally for Callaghan (55 mins), M Conway (0-2, 0-2 frees) for O’Flaherty (60 mins), G Farrell for K Cribbin (68 mins).

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)