HL: Derry 2-16 Kildare 3-13

An entertaining, end-to-end drawn encounter in Celtic Park sees Derry secure the point they needed to finish top of Allianz Hurling League 2B and reach the league final, where they will face Down.

Conor Kelly rescued a draw for the Oak Leafers with the final score of the game deep into injury time. Odhran McKeever grabbed Derry’s second goal midway through the second half that saw them open a four point lead, but Kildare hit back with a flurry of scores to set up the nail-biting finish.

Cormac O’Doherty was Derry’s top-scorer, tallying 1-10, as he continued his impressive early season form.

Details of date/venue for the league final are TBC. The winner of the final will secure promotion.

DERRY: Sean Kelly, Paddy Kelly, Sean Cassidy, Darragh Cartin, Seán Ó Caiside, Brian Óg McGilligan, Conor Kelly (0-1), Paul Cleary (0-1), Meehaul McGrath, Jerome McGuigan, Cormac O’Doherty (1-10, 7f, 2 ’65), Thomas Brady, Eoghan Cassidy (0-1), Sé McGuigan (0-1), Richie Mullan; Subs: Darragh McCloskey for P Kelly (10), Odhran McKeever (1-1) for J McGuigan (HT), Steafan McCloskey (0-1) for T Brady (57), Alan Grant for R Mullan (63), Tiarnan McHugh for S McGuigan (71)

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna, Cian Forde, John Doran, Simon Leacy, Niall O’Muineachain, Ross Kelly, Rian Boran, Jack Travers, Paul Divilly, Cathal Dowling (0-1), Brian Byrne (1-2f), James Burke (0-1), Caolan Smith (0-2), Jack Sheridan (2-7, 6f, 1 ’65), Shane Ryan; Subs: Sean Christianseen for C Dowling (50), Conor Kielty for S Ryan (65)

REF: Kevin Brady (Louth)