EMMET Bolton’s stoppage time goal against Laois this evening has given Kildare a chance of avoiding the drop from Division 2 of the Allianz Football League. The Lilywhites claimed what could be a priceless 1-12 to 1-9 victory against the hosts at O’Moore Park to move level with Galway and Westmeath in the race to remain in the second tier.
Kildare were a point down late on before Bolton netted and Paul Cribbin added a point. Laois were dragged back into the relegation scrap by their neighbours and the home side’s misery was complete with Donie Kingston, who had set up Colm Begley’s goal in the second half, was red-carded in a disastrous finish. The sides were level at 0-5 apiece at half-time and Laois looked set for the win when Damien O’Connor put the O’Moore men a point clear with a minute left. But there was still time for dogged Kildare to claim their second victory of the campaign and leave the table tantalisingly poised ahead of the final round of group fixtures.
At Kingpsan Breffni Park, hosts Cavan claimed a 1-8 to 1-3 victory over Westmeath, to revive their promotion hopes. Cavan finally ended their goal drought as Brendan Fitzpatrick netted ten minutes after half-time. The sides were level at half-time but Westmeath did find the net when Kieran Martin goaled early on. But Fitzpatrick’s second half effort, which was Cavan’s first goal of the entire League campaign, provided them with a match-winning platform. Westmeath’s cause wasn’t helped by Jamie Gonoud’s dismissal for a black card offence, having earlier been booked.
Down’s march to promotion was halted, for now, by Meath at Páirc Esler, as the table-toppers suffered a 0-10 to 2-11 defeat. Meath were 0-6 to 0-4 clear at half-time before Bryan Menton and Pádraic Harnan scored the second half goals for the Royals. Meath are now firmly in the hunt for a top-two finish ahead of what promises to be a fascinating final weekend. Down lost Mark Poland to a black card in the second half as they slumped to their second defeat of the campaign.
