Kildare find their rhythm

NFL Kildare 1-17 Down 0-9: Kildare were a transformed team in this Division One B game in Newry yesterday. They were understrength, had been well beaten in their previous outings and fans expected the usual short-passing brand of football but instead they directed 50-yard passes from wing to wing, over-ran hitherto unbeaten Down in their own fortress and played football with a swagger not seen for a long time.

They got the ideal start when Ross Glavin pounced on a loose clearance from Down goalkeeper Brendan McVeigh and left Tadhg Fennin with the simplest of goals in the opening minute. But within five minutes Down were level through three points from Dan Gordon, Ronan Sexton and Ronan Murtagh.

Mick Wright and Glenn Ryan were impeccable behind a surging midfield of Killian Brennan and Michael Foley. And as the forwards swung the ball about, corner forwards John Doyle and Tadhg Fennin reaped the harvest.

By the 29th minute Kildare led 1-9 to 0-4, John Doyle, Eamonn Callaghan, Michael Foley and Ronan Sweeney all pointing. It could have been worse for a demoralised Down had not McVeigh made amends for his earlier slip with an instinctive save from Doyle in the 17th minute.

Kildare led 1-9 to 0-6 at half-time, and added five more points before substitute Benny Coulter had Down's first point of the second half in the 56th minute.

Kildare looked more impressive with every minute. John Doyle finished with nine points, but he was only translating into scores some magical outfield play. Kildare have a home derby against Laois next.

DOWN: B McVeigh; M Cole, A Scullion, G Barry; J Clarke (0-1), B Grant, A Brannigan; A Molloy, A Rogers; R Sexton (0-1), S Ward (0-1), C McCrickard; R Murtagh (0-1), D Gordon (0-1), D Hughes. Subs: B Coulter (0-4) for Molloy (27 mins), A Oprey for McCrickard (35 mins), A Rice for Cole (57 mins), P Murphy for Hughes (59 mins), J Doran for Brannigan (52 mins).

KILDARE: E Murphy; A Rainbow, D Hendy, A McLoughlin; M Wright, G Ryan, K Ennis; K Brennan, M Foley (0-1); E Callaghan (0-3), D McCormack (0-1), R Sweeney (0-1); T Fennin (1-2), R Glavin, J Doyle (0-9). Subs: M O'Sullivan for Sweeney (58 mins), A Barry (0-1) for Ryan (52 mins).

Referee: P Kearney (Roscommon).