THINGS LOOKING UP FOR REBELS

CORK are closing in on that long-awaited return to Division 1a point in Tyrone and the Rebels are back in the topflight.

- BY JACK MCKAY

But they should have won by more on Saturday in Kildare given their monstrous halftime advantage.

The fact that Kildare weren't able to get closer than the nine-point margin at the finish came down to the individual brilliance of Micheal Aodh Martin, who, despite initially being named on the starting team, was dropped late for Patrick Doyle.

When he was sprung from the bench in the 59th minute, his first involvement was to step in and make a penalty save to deny Alex Beirne.

The Leesiders can count their lucky stars to have still come away with victory over the Lilywhites.