A LAST minute penalty rescued all three points for County after they had squandered a two-goal lead at Buckley Park, Kilkenny, on Friday.
The Thoroughbreds appeared to be cruising to victory when they struck twice inside 20 minutes midway through the second half.
The first period was rather dull. Both teams were understrength and as a result were struggling in sectors. Kildare looked but a shadow of the side that showed so much grit and determination under former boss Dermot Keely.
Kildare could have had a dream opening when Sean Darcy burst through after only three minutes but he was denied by goalkeeper David O’Neill. Kilkenny’s best chance came after 27 minutes when a teasing right wing corner by Ian Barry was missed by Anthony Tobin and then Brendan Rea.
There was little else of note in a half which saw former City player Peter Rogers booked.
The second period was a lot livelier and far more entertaining. And it was Alan McNevin who took the game by the scruff of the neck when he set up the opening goals for Kildare and then hammered the winner from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.
The opening goal came after 54 minutes when McNevin crossed for Ray Scully to finish clinically. In the 74th minute it looked to be done and dusted for the visitors when McNevin set up Alan Kelly for the second.
Then it all went wrong for County. A City corner was added to by Mark Andrews and his brother Niall banged to the roof of the net. And 10 minutes from time bottom club City looked to have rescued a point when sub Michael Comerford left goalkeeper Danny O’Leary helpless with a left-footed drive from the edge of the penalty area, after good work by Niall Andrews.
Hero McNevin was to turn villain after 83 minutes when he was booked by referee Tom Connolly of Dublin.
But it was Connolly who was to take centre stage in the 89th minute when he pointed to the spot after a linesman flagged, awarding a rather harsh penalty, for an alleged push by Mark Andrews on Philip Hughes.
It was a cruel blow for the home side but McNevin showed no mercy when he sent the David O’Neill the wrong way from the penalty spot.
The victory completed a hat-trick for County over City. It keeps the Thoroughbreds in the hunt for promotion but performances like Saturday’s against stronger opposition will not do their cause any good.
Manager, Eric Hannigan must have been pleased to escape to victory but he will also be happy to see the return of the likes of Ben Whelehan, as his team showed a soft centre that could lead to a hard luck story.
Kilkenny City: David O’Neill, Frank Browne (Jimmy Shanahan 70), C. J. Delaney, Mark Andrews, Anthony Tobin, Craig Maher, Damien Raggett, Niall Andrews, Ian Barry, Barry Wood (Michael Comerford 70), Brendan Rea.
Kildare County: Danny O’Leary, Damien Brennan, Gareth Cronin, Ray Scully, Barry O’Connor, Peter Rogers, Sean Darcy, Alan McNevin, Philip Hughes, John Ryan, Alan Kelly.
