Dublin just edge it over Kildare

On a final score line of Dublin 1-11 Kildare 0-13 The Dubs defeated Kildare by the minimum in this opening game in Division of the AFL at Croke Park this afternoon.

It was a tight game but Dublin with an early goal were never headed and while The Lilies came back very strong in the dying minutes that leveling point just never came.

Dublin hit 10 wides in all while the Kildare wide count was a mere three.

The game saw Kevin Feely make a final ten minutes appearance for Kildare a remarkable recovery after a serious injury last summer.

Dublin got off to the perfect start after when five minutes  when John Fenton found the Kildare net.

Kildare did not let that early set-back upset them and came back to withing a point withe a Jack Robison point.

Two frees from Cormac Costell and a point from John Small were responded to with white flags from Darragh Kirawn (two) and another from Jack Robinson but Niall Scully responded to leave the half time score reading Dublin 1-5 Kildare 0-6.

Final score: Dublin 1-11 Kildare 0-13.

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

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: Paqddy Woodgate for lJimmy 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.