Kirwan's cheeky back-heel condemns Limerick to the drop

Darragh Kirwan's 76th-minute backheel goal clinched Kildare’s survival and with it, relegated Limerick and Clare from Division 2 of the Football League.

The Lilywhites’ first goals since May 2022 saved their status, with Kevin Flynn giving their fans a first green flag to cheer since Jimmy Hyland’s consolation goal in last year’s Leinster final.

It was a lacklustre encounter in which the victory mattered more than the means until a nervy end-to-end finale, with Jack Robinson and Kirwan cancelling out goals conceded to James Naughton and Cillian Fahy.

Limerick were under the new management of Mark Fitzgerald, stepping up from his selector role after Ray Dempsey’s sudden resignation. His only change from their draw against Meath was enforced, Paul Maher in for injured joint-captain Iain Corbett.

They lacked urgency in attack and gave Kildare all the time they needed to filter as many bodies as they liked behind their own 45, often all 15.

When the visitors turned over the ball, they moved at a greater pace. Barry Coffey, Paddy Woodgate (free), and Kirwan (0-2) picked off the first four points inside 14 minutes.

Naughton kicked two frees in response but the big moment came in the 21st minute. Kirwan found Woodgate’s cut-back run behind the Limerick rearguard with a fine low pass and Flynn was charging into attack to finish. 1-4 to 0-2.

Colm McSweeney provided Limerick’s only first-half point from play before Flynn unlocked the Limerick defence again, Kirwan’s shot saved by Donal O’Sullivan but Ben McCormack tapped over from the rebound. He would exit with a knock soon after.

A Fahy mark was again cancelled out when they fell asleep from a short free. Woodgate found Daniel Flynn unmarked in front of the posts and he laid off for