Opportunity lost in Kildare's one-point defeat to Dublin

Allianz Football League Division 2

Dublin 1-11

Kildare 0-13

In the end just one point separated Kildare and Dublin in the opening round of the Allianz Football League (Division 2) played at Croke Park on Saturday in front of 17,161 fans.

It was a game that could have gone either way.

A game Dublin never trailed.

But having said that a game The Lilies surely deserved a point from, at least.

The opening quarter was a game of cat and mouse. Dublin defending in big numbers; Kildare playing a very patient game, fully aware of what happened the last time these sides met back in the championship, The Dubs filling the Kildare net no less than five times in the opening half.

And while The Lilies conceded an early goal again, they certainly did not capitulate on this occasion.

They regrouped, whittled back the early lead to a point and while they found it extremely difficult to cut open the packed very tight Dublin defence they had one big chance that could have swayed the game in their favour but the post came to the aid of the boys in blue.

Having said that Dublin were very wasteful in front of goal hitting no less than ten wides, plus a number of efforts that fell short.

Kildare on the other hand ended with just three wides but like their opponents hit four or five balls short, some that should have been converted.

Overall though their were positives from Glenn Ryan's side with the likes of Mark Donnellan, Shea Ryan, Tony Archbold (when introduced), Neil Flynn, Jimmy Hyland, Daragh Kirwan and Jack Robinson all doing well.

However at the end of the day it is Dublin who get the two points which means this Sunday's clash with Cork in Newbridge, is a massive, massive game.

Dublin opened with a Cormac Costello pointed free, a free, one of many it has to be said that had many of the attendance scratching their collective heads in wonderment at what referee Griffin saw — that along with some very dubious calls for over-carrying which had the Kildare followers on their feet on more than one occasion.

Jack Robinson cut through the Dublin defence, his effort went wide but was called back for a free which Jimmy Hyland fired over.

That was the only time the sides were level.

Five minutes and exactly what Kildare did not want happened when Brian Fenton gained possession back on his own full back line, the ball was worked up field where Sean McMahon found Fenton on the edge of the square and the midfielder made no mistake with a fine finish to the right of Mark Donnellan.

Jimmy Hyland found Neil Flynn who pointed, quickly followed by Jack Robinson finding the range, the Clogherinkoe man, making his League debut.

Both sides hit 'shorts' before Dublin got a free, brought forward for mouthing and Costello made it 1-2 to 0-3 on 15 minutes.

A couple of heavy challenges saw the tension go up a notch before Darragh Kirwan took a quick free to Darragh Malone who returned it to the Naas man who fired over.

John Small increased the Dublin league before Cormac Costello converted a free after David Hyland was handed a yellow care for a foul on Eoin Murchan.

A long ball into the danger area saw Mick O'Grady miss-read the situation and while Con O'Callaghan got a fist to it over Mark Donnellan the ball went right and wide to the relief of Kildare.

Jack Robinson who certainly gave the Dublin defence plenty to think about, was fouled, Darragh Kirwan converted to leave two in it.

Jimmy Hyland was off with a blood injury, Paddy Woodgate in before Robinson reduced the gap but Niall Scully pointed for Dublin to leave the half-time score reading Dublin 1-5 Kildare 0-6.

Two quick points from Con O'Callaghan stretched the Dublin lead to four on 39 minutes.

The returned Jimmy Hyland hit two before Ross McGarry got his first point for Dublin.

A brilliant kick pass from Kevin O'Callaghan put Tony Archbold (just on) in but the Celbridge man hit the bottom of the post and the chance was gone.

Ciaran Kilkenny got his only point of the game; Jack Robinson and Costello exchanged points before Kildare really came at Dublin with points from Darragh Kirwan, Neill Flynn (45).

Dean Rock, second half substitute, converted a free for Dublin; Neil Flynn replied; Dublin hit three wides in a row and showed how much they were under pressure with three yellow cards on the trot.

Neil Flynn left one in it with another 45 but try as they might The Lilies could not get that all important equaliser as Dublin held out on a final score line of Dublin 1-12 Kildare 0-14.

SCORERS

Dublin: Cormac Costello 0-4 (3 frees), Brian Fenton 1-0, Con O'Callaghan 0-2, John Small 0-1, Niall Scuilly 0-1, Ciaran Kilkenny 0-1, Ross McGrry 0-1, Dean Rock 0-1 (free).

Kildare: Neil Flynn 0-4 (2 45s), Darragh Kirwan 0-3 (1 free), Jack Robinson 0-3, Jimmy Hyland 0-3 (1 free).

TEAMS

Dublin: David O'Hanlon; Eoin Murchan, Greg McEneaney, Michael Fitzsimons; Lee Gannon, John Small, Cian Murphy; Brian Fenton, Tom Lahiff; Niall Scully, Ross McGarry, Seán MacMahon; Cormac Costello, Ciarán Kilkenny, Con O'Callaghan. Subs: Colm Basquel for Niall Scully (47 minutes); Dean Rock for Greg McEneaney (55 minutes); Killian O'Gara for Cormac Costello (67 minutes); Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne for Tom Lahiff (71 minutes).

Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Mick O'Grady cpt., Shea Ryan, Ryan Houlihan; Darragh Malone, Kevin Flynn, Paddy McDermott; Aaron Masterson, Kevin O'Callaghan; David Hyland, Neill Flynn, Paul Cribbin; Jimmy Hyland, Darragh Kirwan, Jack Robinson. Subs: Paddy Woodgate for Jimmy Hyland (blood sub 29-35); Alex Beirne for Paul Cribbin (46 minutes); Tony Archbold for Darragh Malone (46 minute); Ben McCormack for Jimmy Hyland (59 minutes); Kevin Feely for Aaron Masterson (60 minutes); Jack Sargent for Ryan Houlihan (71 minutes)

Referee Brendan Griffin, Kerry.