Kildare dig deep to make it two wins from two against Sligo

Kildare 1-16

Sligo 0-13

Yes, no doubt, the display was not as impressive as the one the previous week against Fermanagh (who defeated Leitrim by a point on Sunday) but Kildare find themselves in exactly the place they had hoped for with two wins from two in the Allianz Football League Division 3 campaign.

Can't recall the last time we beat Sligo in Markievicz Park, if indeed we ever did, never an east place to take two points from, on a pitch that was far from ideal after an amount of heavy rain the previous evening, but The Lilies dug in when it was needed and grounded out a six point victory that may be somewhat hard on the home side but nevertheless the points went where they belong and with a clean sheet to boot, Kildare can now look forward with confidence to the next out when they travel to Ballinamore take on Leitrim in two weeks time, the players earning a well-deserved break after a hectic time since Christmas.

A big Kildare following made the long journey and it was corner forward, Niall Kelly, who opened impressively with two fine points in the opening four minutes.

Sligo got their tally up and running a minute later when Alan Reilly pointed and a few minutes later the sides were tied up after impressive centre back, Darragh Cummins got the first of this three points.

The home team's captain, Niall Murphy edged his side in front with a free on 13 before Alex Beirne and Darragh Kirwan combined for the Naas man to fire over a great two-pointer to regain the lead 0-4 to 0-3.

Patrick O'Connor had the sides level again before Kildare upped their game with four points on the trot.

The first came from a 45 from Didier Cordonnier followed by points from Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan and Alex Beirne to make it 0-8 to 0-4 with 24 minutes on the clock.

The visitors looked in a strong position at this stage but the home boys were not for lying down and rolling over and they replied three points of their own from Niall Murphy, Darragh Cummins and another from Patrick O'Connor to leave just a point separating the sides with 32 minutes on the clock.

During that spell of scoring 'keeper Cordonnier punched a ball clear and fortunately enough it ended up with Kildare in possession.

Ryan Sinkey added a second point before a great move involving the hard-working Brian McLoughlin link-up with Darragh Kirwan and a blistering shot low to the left saw Sligo keeper, Aidan Devaney, dive and get a touch for a brilliant save.

James McGrath made a great interception to halt a Sligo attack; Ryan Burke picked up a yellow for a high challenge which resulted in Alan McLoughlin converting the resultant free to leave the half-time score reading Kildare 0-9 Sligo 0-8.

While leading the visitors were finding it hard to get into a rhythm and while that six minute four-point scoring spree showed what they were capable of, they did not kick-on as one would have expected at that stage.

Darragh Swords came on for the second half. Didier Cordonnier did well to clear a dangerous free, from close to the sideline from Alan McLoughlin but the Two Mile House man held on to possession, under pressure, to clear his lines.

Ryan Houlihan showed his explosive pace to cut open the Sligo defence before punching over and soon after Darragh Kirwan had a similar score to put three between the sides with 39 minutes on the clock.

A foul on Patrick O'Connor saw Alan McLoughlin convert a free before a fine move involving Kevin Feely, Niall Kelly and Alex Beirne saw the Naas man split the posts.

Sligo came back with a point from no. 6 Darragh Cummins, his third of the game and when Niall Murphy converted a two-point free the lead was down to a single point as we approached the 60 minute mark.

Colm Dalton, another player who put in a lot of work on the day, in a move that began at the back after Brian Byrne made a brilliant block.

Cathal Hagney was introduced and was immediately yellow carded for not wearing a gum shield; before Sligo keeper, Aidan Devaney converted a 45 to leave one between them again.

Sligo carved out a few opportunities but failed to convert; Darragh Kirwan put two between them before Ben McCormack put

Darragh Kirwan and the Naas made no mistake blasting to the Sligo net from close range.

Game over, ball burst.

Colm Dalton added the final score of the game as Kildare made it two wins from two, Sligo still seeking their first win but for Brian Flanagan a great start.

Not the most fluid of performances, heavy pitch one would think was not to Kildare's liking or indeed style of play but nevertheless a great start and one manger Flanagan was very happy with as were the big travelling Kildare supporters.

Next stop in two weeks time, on the road again, this time to take on Leitrim, a game fixed for Ballinamore.

SCORERS

Kildare: Darragh Kirwan 1-5 (one two-pointer), Niall Kelly 0-2, Colm Dalton 0-2, Ryan Sinkey 0-2, Alex Beirne 0-2, Didier Cordonnier 0-1 (45), Ryan Houlihan 0-1, Darragh Swords 0-1.

Sligo: Niall Murphy 0-4 (3 frees, one two-pointer), Darragh Cummins 0-3, Patrick O'Connor 0-2, Alan McLoughlin 0-2 (2 frees), Alan Reilly 0-1 (free), Alan Devaney 0-1 (45).

TEAMS

Kildare: Didier Cordonnier; Ryan Burke, Mick O'Grady, Brian Byrne; Ryan Houlihan, James McGrath, David Hyland; Kevin Feely, Callum Bolton; Brian McLoughlin, Alex Beirne, Colm Dalton; Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan, Niall Kelly. Subs: Darragh Swords for Ryan Sinkey (half-time); Kevin Flynn for Ryan Burke (48 minute); Aaron Masterson for Niall Kelly (57 minute); Cathal Hagney for Alex Beirne (55 minutes); Ben McCormack for Brian McLoughlin (70 minutes).

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Paul McNamara, Eddie McGuinness, Evan Lyons; Brian Cox, Darragh Cummins, Ross Doherty; Canice Mulligan, Paul Kilcoyne; Cian Lally, Alan McLoughlin, Eoghan Smith; Alan Reilly, Patrick O'Connor, Niall Murphy cpt. Subs: Jack Lavin for Ross Doherty (50 minute); Pat Spillane for Eoghan Smith (55 minute); Luke Towey for Alan Reilly (60 minutes): David Quinn for Cian Lally (68 minutes).

REFEREE: Thomas Murphy, Galway.