Brian McLoughlin’s late two-pointer saw Tyrone and Kildare play out a 2-16 to 1-19 draw at a wet and windy Healy Park this evening.

Ethan Jordan’s goal in the 67th minute looked like being enough for Malachy O’Rourke’s side to claim both points in this entertaining Allianz FL Division 2 first round clash, but McLoughlin would back up his point with another effort from just outside to earn a share of the spoils for the 14-man Lilywhites.

A goal from Darragh Swords on the eve of half-time had been the difference between the sides when they went in at the break (1-8 to 0-8) and, after conceding a couple of scores early in the restart, the visitors restored their advantage with a Calum Bolton two-pointer before Brendan Gibbons was sent off for picking up a second yellow card.

The Red Hands would close the gap down to one and then hit the front with a Joey Oguz goal in the 43rd minute before going on to open a three-point lead of their own.

Darragh Canavan’s score put four between the sides with eight minutes remaining, but Brian Flanagan’s men would send over the next three scores, including a two-pointer from McLoughlin to level it ahead of Jordan finding their net.

There would still be time for McLoughlin to snatch the draw for Kildare however.

The points were also shared in this evening’s Division 3 meeting between Laois and Limerick at Laois Hire O’Moore Park (1-10 to 0-13).

Having conceded an Evan O’Carroll goal in the opening quarter of an hour, Limerick looked to have done enough to comeback and earn the win with two-pointers from Barry Coleman and Eliah Riordan in the closing stages, but Niall Corbett’s point at the death secured a point for the hosts.

In Newry, Conor Laverty’s Down side were 2-19 to 2-14 winners over Clare in their third tier first round clash.

Cillian Brennan and Mark McInerney netted first-half goals that saw the visitors hold a 2-9 to 0-10 lead at the half, but John McGeogh goaled for the Mourne men two minutes into the second-half and Odhran Murdock would find the net for them three minutes from the end to help put a seal on the five-point victory.

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