By Robbie J Dunne
Kildare set up a Christy Ring semi-final clash next Saturday against Kerry in Newbridge following a 3-23 to 2-18 win over Meath in Trim.
Meath got off to the better start as they sailed into a 1-06 to 0-01 lead after 16 minutes with 1-04 coming from the hurl of Jack Regan and Kildare's solitary point coming from a Mark Delaney free.
Meath continued impressively and had 1-09 to Kildare's 1-01 after 24 minutes with the Lilywhites' goal coming via the excellent Gerry Keegan, who finished with 2-05 on the day but it was still all Meath in the opening half.
At this point, however, Kildare worked their way back into the game with another goal from Gerry Keegan and points from Bernard Deay and Mark Delaney.
Kildare completed their comeback and went ahead with a perfectly executed lob by Bernard Deay as Shane McGann in Meath's goal watched helplessly as the ball rolled over the line.
Meath held the lead, however, at half time on a scoreline of 1-13 to 3-06 with everything to play for in the second half and a breeze to assist Kildare.
Meath went three ahead at the start of the half but Kildare worked their way back into the game yet again with scores from Mark Delaney, Deay and full back Fiachra O Muinrachchain.
Meath were reduced to 14 men when Keith Keoghan was dismissed after receiving a second yellow for a late hit on Kildare's Evan Dempsey and Meath landed a goal soon after through Jack Fagan
But some fine scores from Dinny Stapleton, Gerry Keegan, Delaney and Deay put Kildare out of reach and into the semi-final next week.
Down beat 14-man London in the other quarter-final on a scoreline of 1-22 to 1-13 in Ballycran, Co Down.
They will now face Derry in the other semi-final.
The game started in blistering fashion for the Down men. They were 1-10 to 0-02 points to the good after 18 minutes and despite a slight resurgence from London later in the second half, their victory never looked in doubt.
Down's goal came from Gareth Johnston. Johnston would finish with 1-09 on the day with seven of his points coming from frees.
At half-time, they held a ten-point lead, 1-14 to 1-04.
London started the second half off well with two quick scores but Down continued to push their lead out and lead 1-15 to 1-06 after ten minutes of the restart.
London got the margin down to eight points midway through the second half but were reduced to 14 men when Conor Hickey was sent off for two yellow card offences and couldn't get any closer to Down.
Elsewhere, Mayo's hopes of remaining in the Christy Ring cup were dealt a blow following a 1-11 to 1-18 defeat at the hands of Wicklow to place them in a relegation final against the winners of the Nicky Rackard Cup.
Wicklow led by six points at half-time on a score line of 1-07 to 0-04 and never relinquished their lead as time ran out.
Mayo will now play one of the Nicky Rackard semi-finalsts in Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal or Roscommon.
