JOHN KERINS CUP (U20 Football Development League)
DUBLIN 2-14 KILDARE 0-14
Dublin's under-20 footballers got their John Kerins Cup campaign off to a winning start when overcoming Kildare in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge on Wednesday night.
Goals were crucial over the course of the game with Tom Gray's side bolting out of the blocks to build up a 2-8 to 0-2 lead inside the opening 22 minutes.
Early points from Niall O'Leary and two from Ciarán Archer settled Dublin with Kilmacud Crokes man O'Leary scoring Dublin's first goal in the eight minute to give his side a 1-5 to 0-0 lead.
Kildare replied with points from Luke Griffin and Eoghan McGlinchey before Dublin assumed control again to reel off 1-3 without reply between the 16th and 22nd minute.
Ciarán Archer, who finished as Dublin's top scorer with 1-6 (1-4 from play), grabbed the second goal as Dublin moved 12 points clear.
However, the Lilywhites comeback began in the lead up to the half-time break with Daragh Ryan, Seán Cullen and Jack Cully (two) all on target to leave the score at 2-9 to 0-6 at the break.
The hosts closed the gap to five points just past the midpoint of the second half, 2-11 to 0-12, but crucially Dublin did not let them in for a goal with Darren Maher doing well in the Dublin defence.
Dublin subs Seán Farrelly and Brian O'Leary both contributed scores after coming on as Dublin held on for their six-point victory.
In Wednesday night's other John Kerins Cup game Cork drew with Kerry 0-19 to 1-16 in Clonakilty. The Dubs face the Rebels this coming Saturday in Round 2 of the competition in the Laois GAA Centre of Excellence, Portaoise (2.0).
The other groupings are - Philly McGuinness Cup, Group 1: Fermanagh, Sligo, Longford, Leitrim; Group 2: Donegal, Tyrone, Mayo, Roscommon; Leo Murphy Cup, Group 1: Antrim, Derry, Cavan, Louth; Group 2: Down, Armagh, Monaghan, Meath; Liam Connor Cup: Offaly, Limerick, Westmeath, Wicklow, Clare; Andrew Corden Cup: Carlow, Wexford, Tipperary, Waterford, Laois.
Dublin's remaining schedule in the John Kerins Cup is - Rd 2: v Cork, Saturday June 1, Laois Centre of Excellence, Portlaoise (2.0); Rd 3: v Kerry, Saturday June 8, venue/time to be confirmed; Rd 4: Bye; Rd 5: v Galway, Saturday June 15, venue/time to be confirmed.
Dublin will face Longford in the Leinster U20FC quarter-final in Glennon Bros Pearse Park on Tuesday, July 2.
SCORERS - Dublin: C Archer 1-6 (0-2f), N O'Leary 1-2, N Matthews, C Kinsella, K Lynch Bissett, H Ladd, S Farrelly, B O'Leary 0-1 each, Kildare: L Griffin (0-3f), J Cully (0-2f) 0-5 each, E McGlinchey, D Ryan, J Carey, S Cullen 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: D O'Hanlon; D Maher, D Newcombe, A Lynch; K Kennedy, N Matthews, C Kinsella; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, K Lynch Bissett; N O'Leary, D Lacey, S Foran; C Archer, H Ladd, R McGarry. Subs: E O'Dea for Foran (39), S Farrelly for Kinsella (37), J Doran for Lacey (40), D Brennan for Lynch Bissett (47), B O'Leary for Ladd (50).
KILDARE: D Cordonnier; O O Cuill, C Lynch, B Stynes; N O'Sullivan, J Sargent, D Ryan; J Carey, S Cullen, L O’Flynn, A Steed, C Halpin; L Griffin, J Cully, E McGlinchey. Subs: E McGovern for O'Sullivan (27), B McDonnell for Cullen (ht), P Tuohey for McGlinchey (ht), D Reilly for O Cuill (45).
REF: C Reilly (Meath).