Kildare 2-18 Laois 1-8
Down 0-13 Westmeath 1-9
KILDARE GAVE THEIR football fortunes a boost with a resounding win over Laois today by 13 points in Portlaoise.
That paved the way for them to finish top of Division 2 South, ahead of Clare and Cork on scoring difference, to ensure they will play Meath in a fortnight for the right to contest Division 1 next year.
Kildare were ahead 1-7 to 0-4 at the interval, thanks to a goal from Luke Flynn before the break. Then a second goal arrived for the Lilywhites early in the second half courtesy of Kevin Flynn and they powered on from there.
That strike put them in front 2-9 to 0-6 yet Laois did hit back with a goal soon after when Gary Walsh netted.
Walsh was the top scorer for Laois with 1-5 but they only had three players on target throughout whereas Kildare were in control with ten players getting on the scoresheet.
Jimmy Hyland and Neil Flynn struck 0-4 apiece while substitutes Shane O’Sullivan (0-3) and Aaron Masterson (0-2) both impressed in front of goal.
Elsewhere in Division 2 North, Down saw off Westmeath by a point and will now take on Laois in the relegation play-offs.
Wesmeath must meet Cork while they also saw the experienced Kieran Martin suffered an injury.
Both sides already knew they were set for the bottom two places in their section after losing their games to date. Down were in front 0-9 to 0-3 at half-time in Mullingar but Westmeath fought back to trail 0-12 to 1-4 at the second-half water break.
But they could not draw level as Down held on to triumph. Corey Quinn shot 0-7 for the Mourne Coutny while Paul Devlin scored 0-2.
John Heslin was Westmeath’s top scorer with 0-6 while Fola Ayorinde hit the only goal of the game.
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