Whelan is vital cog to championship progress

THIS WAS the best Dublin performance of the last five years. They had to dig deeper than usual to hold off Kildare, particularly considering the inexcusable loss of Ger Brennan so early in the game.

I expect to see Bryan Cullen taking back the six jersey on a permanent basis. Cullen was excellent yesterday but you can't afford to have players losing it in high-pressure environments. Brennan's actions nearly proved disastrous for Dublin.

After a nervy start, Kildare played some tremendous football for the final 10 minutes of the first half. They were kicking points at ease and, worryingly for Dublin, unopposed most of the time with several players taking advantage of the space afforded them.

The Jason Sherlock goal came at a hugely crucial moment as it stalled Kildare's momentum. Half-time followed soon after allowing Pat Gilroy the chance to regroup.

Kieran McGeeney would have been very happy at half-time as well though, and the flaws in Kildare's make-up are fixable. Any team that relies on their running game for 70 minutes will eventually be caught out. It is not sustainable particularly for someone like Dermot Earley, who excelled in making repeated forward runs, but energy levels must be conserved, especially a player as valuable as Earley. The man deserves plenty of credit for the work he got through in midfield. Again, though, the return of Ciarán Whelan looks like a formality ahead of the All-Ireland quarter-final. The man remains vital to Dublin's progress.

He, like so many of his team-mates, is gifted with character and leadership qualities that only reach full potential with experience. The arrival of Cullen and Whelan was instrumental in securing victory. Dublin maintained a constant pressure by replacing their midfield duo with Whelan and Shane Ryan, making a huge difference in the final 15 minutes when Earley and Daryl Flynn were waning.

Cullen and David Henry were the exceptional defenders. Henry has been criticised for leaving his corner-back duties to roam forward but he is so safe with the ball and rarely makes a bad decision.

When Dublin went looking for leaders Barry Cahill stepped up. He carried the game to Kildare and, of course, his 1-1 came at important junctures.

Kildare lacked the required zest and movement in the second half to hurt them. They simply couldn't sustain the intensity, lacking the reserves perhaps due to the energy used up. This impetuousness may have come from the need to chase down the 1-3 head start they gave Dublin but a team can't run hard off the shoulder from the half-back line all day. Eighteen points was an impressive return but the odd long ball into a target man is a necessity in creating goal chances.

Back to Dublin. They have long had problems in the half-forward line but Flynn looks like a solution. He may be shy in front of goal but his work-rate is astounding and proved essential after Brennan was dismissed and Diarmuid Connolly withdrawn to accommodate Cullen.

It is the Brogans, however, who supply the polish for Dublin. Yesterday it was Bernard who really showed his worth.

I remember playing against his father of the same name. What stood out for me about Bernard senior was his athleticism but, with respect to their Dad, it is the skill levels of the sons that is most apparent. The benefits of a forward who can score off both feet were evident for everybody to see. Bernard junior almost single-handedly silenced Kildare in the end. What a massive addition he is considering he barely featured for Dublin last year due to injury problems. I was a bit surprised McGeeney didn't double team him, especially when they had a numerical advantage.

Mikey Conway was that extra man and an astute distributor but he was poorly used. He could have helped shadow Bernard or he could have shown for a few short kick-outs to keep the ball away from Whelan.

This was a valuable lesson for a young Kildare team and their manager. They will learn more in defeat here. They will see how dangerous Dublin were off the direct ball, Sherlock's goal coming off a quick delivery by Alan Brogan. Bernard and Conal Keaney are good ball winners and they alleviate pressure out the field.

A bit more composure and Kildare could have surpassed 18 points. Inexperience and lack of a clinical finisher close to goal proved their undoing. Still, nobody will want to draw them in the next round.

The most open championship for years is unfolding before our eyes. No team has stood out yet so any contender that makes the last eight will be capable of a giant leap. Dublin look impressive going forward but they were opened up too easily.

Elsewhere, Meath and Derry should benefit from the third-round qualifier draw and I can see both of them pushing on.

Kerry will be disappointed with the second half in Longford but a home draw against Sligo is the ideal tonic to erase that memory. Jack O'Connor won't be under pressure to risk Kieran Donaghy or Declan O'Sullivan. It also provides an opportunity to bring Tadhg Kennelly, Mike McCarthy and Paul Galvin back in. The positive for Kerry at the moment is they have options.

Finally, Mick O'Dwyer will be delighted with a third straight game down in Aughrim, against Down. It is a great tribute to Micko that he on the verge of bringing Wicklow where they have never been before.