Kildare turn on the style to defeat Fermanagh

Kildare opened life in Division 3 of the AFL this evening at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newberidge, with an  impressive fifteen point win  over Fermanagh.

It was Kildare's first league win since March 2023 when they defeated Meath in Division 2.

Kildare dominated the opening half with all six forwards recording points.

Winning most of the Fermanagh kick-outs The Lilies attacked at will and put the visitors under immense pressure.

It was full back Mick O'Grady who opened the scoring for Kildare and while Declan McCusker replied soon after, Kildare went on to open a seven point lead with Darragh Kirwan, Colm Dalton and Ryan Sinkey leading the charge before Fermanagh got their second of the game.

Kildare continued to dominate but Fermanage came with a late burst and a nine point lead was cut back to six by the break with one two-pointer from Drragh McGurn and a free from Fionan O'Brien as The Lilies led at the break 0-13 to 0-7.

Fermanagh certainly improved in the second half and when Shane McGullion capitalised  on a dreadful mistake at the back to find the Kildare net on 47 minutes it left just five between the sides.

However Kildare quickly replied with a few points before Darragh Kirwan finished brilliantly after a great break by Colm Dalton to to make it 1-21 to 1-10 and that was effectively that.

The Lilies finished with a flourish on a final score line of Kildare 2-14 Fermanagh 1-12.

Scorers: Kildare, Darragh Kirwan 1-6 (2 frees), Colm Dalton 0-2, Alex Beirne 0-4 (2 frees, one two pointer free)), Ryan Sinkey 1-2, Callum Bolton 0-2, David Hyland 0-2 (2 pointer), Niall Kelly 0-3 (one two-pointer), Brian McLoughlin 0-1, Ryan Houlihan 0-1, Mick O'Grady 0-1.

Fermanagh, Darragh McGurn 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Garvan Jones 0-3 (2 frees), Shane McGullion 1-0, Declan McCusker 0-1, Conor Love 0-1, Fionan O'Brien 0-1 (free), Ross Bogue 0-2 , Ultan Kelm 0-1.

KILDARE: Didier Cordonnier; Harry O'Neill, Mick O'Grady, Brian Byrne; David Hyland, James McGrath, Ryan Houlihan; Kevin Feely, Callum Bolton; Brian McLoughlin, Alex Beirne, Colm Dalton; Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan, Niall Kelly Subs: Kevin Flynn for Ryan Houlihan (50 minutes); Aaron Masterson for Niall Kelly (52 minutes); Dean O'Donoghue for Harry O'Neill (62 minutes); Cathal Hagney for Brian McLoughlin (62 minutes); Darragh Swords for Callum Bolton (66 minutes).

FERMANAGH: Rosss Bogue; Lee Cullen, Aaron Jones, Joe McDaid; Jonathan Cassidy, Declan McCusker cpt., Dean O'Donoghue; Ronan McCaffrey, Drragh McGurn; Shane McGullion, Fionan O'Brien Paul Breen; Josh Largo Elis, Garvan Jones, Conor Love. Subs: Luke Flanagan for Aaron Jones (29 minutes); Ryan Lyons for Paul Breen (52 minutes); Oisin Smyth for Joe McDade (56 minutes); Oisin Murphy for Darragh McGurn (65 minutes);

REFEREE: Barry Judge, Sligo.

Other games in AFL Division 3, Round 1

Leitrim v Laois (rescheduled to Sunday)

Kildare 0-00 Fermanagh 0-00; (Sunday)

Antrim 0-00 Clare 0-00; (Sunday)

Offaly 0-00 Sligo 0-00 (Sunday).