Kildare made a flying start to life under new manager Brian Flanagan as they recorded a convincing 15- point win over Fermanagh at Cedral St Conleth's Park.
It the first competitive inter-county game under flights at the newly developed Newbridge venue, an exciting and vibrant Kildare side dominated throughout. Flanagan handed league debuts to three players who won the U20 All-Ireland title under his management in 2023, and included a couple more who had played senior football with previous manager Glenn Ryan, and he was rewarded with a swashbuckling display.
It wasn't all about the youngsters though and former captain David Hyland, returning to the squad after missing the 2024 season due to travelling, was one of a number of experienced players to really perform to a high level.
The new rules on display seemed to really suit and they had players that revelled in the new faster-paced game and both teams saw the benefits of kicking scores from outside the two point arc.
There was a goal scored late in the game after an advanced mark was caught by Kevin Feely and through the advantage played in the aftermath of that, Ryan Sinkey found the net.
There was also a noticeable lack of dissent towards the referee with players on both sides well aware of the severe repercussions of any such actions.
With youngsters Sinkey and Colm Dalton on the scoresheet, the hosts raced into a 0-8 to 0-1 lead by the 19th minute.
Kildare supporters in the packed new stand were enjoying the inventiveness and pace of the home attacks and the lead was stretched out to 0-13 to 0-3 in the 34th minute.
It wasn’t all plain sailing though for the Lilies with most kickouts sent for contests in the middle of the field, possession wasn’t always easily secured. From one such moment, Didier Cordonnier was forced into a save to deny Darragh McGurn and then made an even better one when he was quickly up to keep out Conor Love’s effort from the rebound.
Fermanagh had their best spell late in the half when McGurn landed a point and followed that with a two point effort from beyond the arc. Fionnan O’Brien scored the last point of the half to cut the gap back to 0-13 to 0-07 as the sides headed for the warmth of the dressing room.
A Niall Kelly two pointer helped Kildare into an eight point lead but Fermanagh were handed a way back into the game when a wayward Kevin Feely pass found Shane McGullion and he fired home.
Kildare weren’t going to let the game slip though and a two point free by Alex Beirne followed by a ruthlessly despatched 60th minute goal by Darragh Kirwan put them back in charge.
The icing was put on the cake in injury when Sinkey took advantage Feely’s mark to find the net and then Hyland landed another two pointer from beyond the arc.
All in all, a good night’s work for Kildare.
KEY: tp - two-point score; tpf - two-point free; tpm - two-point mark
Kildare: Didier Cordonnier; Harry O'Neill, Mick O'Grady (0-1), Brian Byrne; David Hyland (0-2, 1tp), James McGrath, Ryan Houlihan (0-1); Kevin Feely, Callum Bolton (0-2); Brian McLoughlin (0-1), Alex Beirne (0-4, 2fs, 1 tpf), Colm Dalton (0-2); Ryan Sinkey (1-2), Darragh Kirwan (1-6, 2fs), Niall Kelly (0-3, 1tp).
Subs: Kevin Flynn for Houlihan, 50; Aaron Masterson for Kelly, 52; Dean O'Donoghue for O'Neill, 62; Cathal Hagney for McLoughlin, 62; Darragh Swords for Bolton, 66.
Fermanagh: Ross Bogue (0-2, 1’45); Lee Cullen, Aaron Jones, Joe McDaid; Jonathan Cassidy, Declan McCusker (0-1), Diarmuid Owens; Ronan McCaffrey, Darragh McGurn (0-3, 1tp); Shane McGullion (1-0), Fionan O'Brien (0-1, 1f), Paul Breen; Josh Largo Elis, Garvan Jones (0-3, 2fs), Conor Love (0-1).
Subs: Ultan Kelm (0-1) for Jones, 29; Jack Largo Ellis for Owens, h/t; Ryan Lyons for Breen, 52; Che Cullen for McDade, 56; Oisin Murphy for McGurn, 65
Referee: Barry Judge, Sligo.
