AHL round-up: Down surge continues as Kildare bounce back

Down's excellent start to life in Division 2 continued with a commanding 2-26 to 0-13 win over Derry at Owenbeg.

The opening 15 minutes were even as the sides split eight points, but Down hit seven points in a row with Tom McGrattan continuing his good form as they led double scores at the break, 0-14 to 0-07.

Ronan Sheehan’s side, who started their campaign with an impressive win over Kildare, opened their legs in the second half with Tim Prenter goaling in the 36th minute with Eoghan Sands adding a second six minutes later.

McGrattan continued to add to his tally with Pearse Óg McCrickard, Daithí Sands and defender Caolan Taggart amongst their other scores in a one-sided second half.

Kildare responded to that opening-day defeat in Ballycran with a comprehensive 2-28 to 0-17 win over Kerry in Newbridge.

The visitors took the lead but a rapid 1-03 from the hosts gave them a solid platform with Cathal Dowling scoring a fine goal.

Shane Conway was keeping Kerry in touch though and they trailed by just three points, 1-07 to 0-07, with 10 minutes to go before the break, but the Lilywhites hit a purple patch with David Qualter firing over a succession of scores to ensure a 1-14 to 0-08 interval lead.

Kerry hit the first two points of the second half, but Qualter found the net in the 39th minute to effectively end the game as a contest.

From there, Kildare continued to add to their tally with Qualter - who finished with 1-13 - prominent in the scoring, Conway offering some resistance for Kerry at least.

Wicklow and London both opened their Division 3 campaigns with victories, and it was the Exiles who made it two from two with a dramatic 1-18 to 1-17 win in Aughrim.

Warren Kavanagh and Seánie Germaine had early scores for the Garden