GAA review; Cork 1-9 Kildare 2-10:Kildare are top of the Allianz Football League tonight after an impressive victory away to Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn, while Donegal recorded their first win of the season against Down in Ballybofey.
Following on from last weekend's opening round win over Donegal, Kieran McGeeney's side took the spoils against the Rebels thanks to second half goals from two of their exciting young newcomers, Niall Kelly and Paddy Brophy.
Cork's chances took a major hit when defender Damien Cahalane was sent off at the start of the second half, and gradually the influence of the dismissal told.
Kildare had led early on but Ciarán Sheehan's goal after 18 minutes put the home side 1-3 to 0-3 in front. Kildare responded well from this, but trailed 1-5 to 0-6 at the interval.
Cahalane's dismissal did not immediately affect Cork's stride, and points from Donncha O'Connor (2) and John O'Rourke kept them three clear.
However, Kelly's well taken goal with 10 minutes to go put Kildare in the lead for the first time since early in the first half, and Cork struggled to compose themselves in the aftermath.
Five minutes later, Kildare grabbed their second major when Brophy finished off a good move. That put them four ahead going into the closing stages, and left no way back for a Cork team that was tired by that stage, having been forced to compete with just 14 men for a long period against a very fit Kildare.
Donegal 0-12 Down 0-7:Donegal recorded a convincing five-point victory over Ulster rivals Down.
They recovered after a poor first half to take control in the second, hitting seven points without reply. Michael Murphy continued his rich vein of scoring form with a haul of 0-6, while Ryan McHugh made his league debut for the All-Ireland champions.
The opening 20 minutes were characterised by some very scrappy play, and both sides were struggling to score from open play. However, Down's solid defensive work was paying dividends for them, and when Donal O'Hare finally got them off the mark from play, they led 0-5 to 0-2.
Donegal managed to get back within one point before half-time, with Colm McFadden and Murphy knocking over frees, and that gave them the springboard they needed for a proper scoring spell at the start of the second half.
Murphy (3), Rory Kavanagh and Leo McLoone got the first five scores of the second half, and that turned things dramatically in the favour of the All-Ireland champions, as they then led 0-9 to 0-5.
By the time corner-back Declan Walsh popped up for a score towards the end, Donegal led 0-11 to 0-5 and had hit nine points in a row, including their two at the end of the first half. Down managed a couple before the finish, but Donegal had turned the game around comprehensively, and ran out deserved winners.
GAA results
Division One
Cork 1-09 Kildare 2-10
Donegal 0-12 Down 0-07
Division Three
Cavan 1-10 Monaghan 0-05
Fermanagh 2-12 Roscommon 2-06
Division Four
Waterford 2-08 Tipperary 0-09
Hurling
Waterford Crystal Cup final
Tipperary 1-13 Clare 1-21