Westmeath and Kildare maintain strong pace

Kildare claimed a second brace of points at the expense of a resilient Mayo side at Newbridge on Saturday, eventually prevailing, 1-15 to 1-14.

The sides were level twice in the early stages before a David Harney penalty finished to the net put Kildare into a lead they never subsequently lost.

The home side scored three times without reply just before the break, including two from Adrian McAndrew as they led 1-6 to 0-4 at half-time.

Mayo made a convincing start to the second half with points from Enda Collins, Ciarán Hynes and Keith Higgins, but Kildare rallied to lead by six points at the end of the third quarter.

A Higgins goal reignited Mayo's hopes some four minutes before the end of normal time and he added two points as the westerners finished stronger.

In Tralee, Kerry earned their first brace of league points with an easy, 4-7 to 1-11, win over a poor Wicklow side but new boss Pat Heffernan knows that there is much improvement required from the Kingdom if they are to qualify for the latter stages of the league.

Kerry, who had to line out without two of their top forwards, Shane and Billy Brick, were always on top against a Wicklow side who struggled against a strong Kerry rearguard, superbly marshalled by full back Aidan Healy.

At Ballycran, despite a brilliant opening 10 minutes spell in which they led by 0-6 to 0-2, Armagh failed to maintain their momentum and were eventually overrun, 2-22 to 0-13, by Down.

A goal from the brilliant Paul Braniff seven minutes before half-time turned the game in Down's favour, as they battled to a 1-7 to 0-8 interval lead.

The second half saw Down completely in control all over the park and Brendan McGourty raced through for Down's second goal after 12 minutes of the second half.

Carlow join Down at the top of the Division Two B table after a 2-15 to 1-13 victory over Meath at Dr Cullen Park yesterday. Derry got over their recent beating by Meath with a comfortable 3-11 to 0-9 win over London at Ballinascreen. Elsewhere on Saturday, Westmeath defeated Roscommon 3-19 to 1-13 at Cusack Park.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times