Paddy O'Rourke's Down outfit were impressive in edging hosts Kildare by a point on a scoreline of 3-08 to 1-13 but their second NFL Division 1B victory was marred by a hamstring injury to captain Benny Coulter.
Down manager O’Rourke admitted afterwards that the Mayobridge forward, who carried a hamstring strain during last week’s clash with Meath, should be fit for his side’s March 5 tussle with Wexford.
Coulter was replaced in the first half just after scoring Down's first goal with his fist. A third-minute goal from Adrian Kelly, who capitalised on a mistake by stuttering Down ‘keeper Michael McVeigh, helped Kildare go in at the break with a 1-06 to 1-04 advantage.
Left half forward John Doyle was Kildare’s outstanding player in the first half as he kicked four points – two from frees and two from play – as Down struggled to contain the 28-year-old Allenwood clubman. The visitors indeed tried out three markers on the 6ft 2in attacker in the opening 35 minutes.
A Damien Rafferty penalty, ten minutes into the second half, saw Down right back in the hunt. Nine minutes later, Dan Hughes reacted quickest to a rebounded point attempt to goal and push O’Rourke’s side into a 3-06 to 1-10 lead.
Doyle struck three frees to boost his tally to eight points, but Down held firm to record their second win of the campaign and move into second behind Derry in the table.
