KIDARE -0-12 SLIGO - 0-12:The first day of Mick O'Dwyer's farewell season arrived with heavy rain, minor controversy and signs that the great survivor may just have a few sweet days to come.
Sligo's visit to damp old Newbridge evoked memories of last summer's improbable afternoon of guts-and-glory and gave what might have been a mundane league encounter a welcome edge. A draw was a satisfying result but hardly reflected the full-blooded closing passage when both teams played absorbing, attacking football.
As it is, Kildare's merited point is in jeopardy, as they appear to be in breach of the substitution rules. Ravaged by injury before the game, they were forced to bring on a series of blood substitutions during the tussle and ended up using six personnel, in contravention of Rule (1.5 (I) which permits such changes subject to a side using a maximum of 20 players (i.e. five substitutions).
A spokesperson for Kildare intimated after the match that the switches were made under the guidance of the officials but it could be that the changes will see them forfeit their share of the spoils, which will leave a bad taste.
However, the promise of their display runs much deeper than league points. Missing the core of their squad - Martin Lynch was listed on the teamsheet but was unable to play - Kildare's newcomers look promising.
Goalkeeper Enda Murphy had a perfect afternoon; free-scoring wing forward Derek McCormack looks to be the type of forward Kildare have been crying out for; and the veteran Tom Harris, whose last competitive start for Kildare was the 1997 Leinster semi-final, made the most of his comeback. There was no evidence of the poor shooting that had undone Kildare in previous years and their build-ups were also direct.
For their part, Sligo assured their visitors that last year's uprising in Croke Park was not simply a once-in-a-lifetime dream come true. Peter Ford is shaping a formidable team with both pace and physique.
Tourlestrane's Gerry McGowan was wonderfully light-footed and inventive yesterday, bagging four of his six-point haul from play while in the opposite corner Dessie Sloyane was also a handful. Paul Durcan, Sligo's great calming presence, was quietly influential while Kieran Quinn, his youthful midfield stable-mate, played his heart out.
Kildare, direct and polished in the opening quarter, worked up a 0-6 to 0-2 lead after 23 minutes before Sligo settled with quick points from Quinn and Sloyane. The home side maintained the advantage through the distance shooting of McCormack, who looks like a natural.
Tadhg Fennin and John Doyle were central characters in the home side's busy attack and there were occasions in the first half when Kildare seemed to be on the verge of easing away.
Midway through the second half, Sligo, patient and economical had restored parity and from there the pace picked up and the scoring slowed down. With the scores at 0-10 each, Johnny Davey skipped through Kildare's last line and questioned Murphy with a bullet of a shot that the Leixlip man somehow deflected. That save was the grace note of a fine afternoon for Murphy, who was also tested by a series of high balls.
Kildare cleared and seconds later Sligo's corner back Philip Gallagher made a brilliant, off-balance catch with the Lilywhite forwards ready to pounce on any spill.
The crowd warmed to the fun and the players obliged; Sligo's Tommy Brennan and Eamonn O'Hara eased through the all-white defence to supply McGowan for another fine point and from the restart, Eddie McCormack landed a marvellous score from nothing.
Then, a clever pass from Colin O'Reilly put Derek McCormack into the sort of space he thrived on in the first half and the Ballykelly man hammered what looked to be the winning point.
Ford's Sligo, though, are patient and sticky. With Kildare playing keep-ball, they chased and chased and then Neil Carew intercepted. The resultant rally was swift and telling, with O'Hara finding McGowan, who was dragged down by the swarming Kildare defence. He dispatched the free with little drama in the third minute of injury time.
This was an important result for Sligo, a county that is learning that they have a right to trade blows with the established teams. For Kildare, the result may have a sting to it but regardless of whether they are penalised, they have started out on a bright note.
KILDARE: E Murphy; C Dave, R Quinn, K Doyle; B Lacey, M Wright, T Harris; K Brennan, R Sweeney; D McCormack (0-4), K O'Dwyer (0-2, free), J Doyle (0-1); T Fennin (0-3, two frees), L Donlon, D Jordan (0-1). Subs: P Winders for R Sweeney (34 mins, blood inj.), P Winders for K Brennan (half-time), K Duane for R Quinn (half-time), J Wilshire for R Sweeney (42 mins, blood inj.), E McCormack (0-1) for J Doyle (47 mins, blood inj), C O'Reilly for K O'Dwyer (58 mins), S McKenzie-Smith for T Harris (65 mins), J Doyle for E McCormack (70 mins), R Sweeney for J Wilshire (42 mins).
SLIGO: N Walsh; P Gallagher, P Carew, B Philips; P Doohan, M Langan, D Durkin; K Quinn (0-1), P Durcan (0-1); T Brennan, E O'Hara, S Davey; D Sloyane (0-4, three frees), J McPartland, G McGowan (0-6, two frees). Subs: D McGarty for S Davey (30 mins) J Davey for J McPartland (47 mins), K O'Neill for T Brennan ( 65 mins).
Referee: M Hughes (Tyrone).
Kildare ... 0-12
Sligo ... 0-12
