Kildare claw their way to victory

Kildare 0-12 Donegal 0-11, Newbridge

Kildare clawed their way to a hard-earned NFL victory over Donegal at Newbridge with Dermot Earley starring.

There were doubts about Earley's participation in this fixture but the big Sarsfield clubman certainly made his presence felt as a late inclusion.

Colm McFadden kicked three frees as Donegal opened well and the defending champions led 0-07 to 0-06 at half-time.

Both John Doyle, the hosts' leading scorer, and Padraig Mullarkey missed decent goal chances but driven on by Earley, Kildare sneaked home thanks to Michael Conway's late free.