Kildare nab vital win after Houdini act in Ennis

A never-say-die Kildare completed a remarkable seven point turnaround to pip hosts Clare to the post in front of 2,692 in Cusack Park.

Off the back of two successive defeats including a flooring 13 point reverse to Cork last time on home soil last time out, Glenn Ryan's side appeared certain to continue that winless start when falling six points and a man behind to the Banner County by the turn of the final quarter.

Perversely however, the extra man emanating from Ben McCormack’s dismissal didn’t suit the heretofore slicker home side who took their foot off the gas instead of pushing on for victory. And they would duly be punished as a determined Kildare produced a spirited backlash of eight of the last nine points to snatch an unlikely victory.

Buoyed by the introduction of the talismanic Flynns, Neil (4) and Daniel (2), new life was breathed into Kildare’s previously lacklustre challenge, with the final turning point being a 70th minute black card for Clare goalkeeper Stephen Ryan.

With Clare’s numerical advantage wiped out and UL’s Sigerson Cup Final captain Emmet McMahon having to don the goalkeeper’s jersey for the remainder, Kildare were carried home to victory by their newfound wave of momentum, with Neil and Daniel Flynn kicking three unanswered injury-time points to garner all the points with the last kick of the game.

In a portent of things to come, wind-assisted Clare also proved a better team with a man down in the opening half as Alan Sweeney’s 20th minute black card saw Eoin Cleary (2) and Podge Collins nudge the home side 0-07 to 0-04 clear.

Kildare did respond with points from Kevin Feely and Jimmy Hyland, only to be outflanked once more upon Sweeney’s return as Clare finished the half with four of the last