Dublin produce first win of league campaign against fruitless Kildare

Paddy Smyth of Dublin in action against Jack Sheridan. Pic: Dáire Brennan/Sportsfile

AHL Division 1B: Dublin 2-19 Kildare 0-11

A couple of early Ronan Hayes goals put Dublin on their way to their first win of this season's NHL campaign, spoiling Kildare's homecoming party in the process.

The Lilywhites were returning to Division 1 hurling for the first time since 1980.

But it was a tough evening for the Joe McDonagh Cup holders who could only muster two points from play in the entire game.

They were playing catch up straight away with Hayes netting in the fifth and 15th minutes to leave Dublin nine points clear at that stage.

Dublin ran riot when they met Kildare in last year's All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final in Newbridge.

It looked like they might do the same here but Kildare eventually livened up to give the Sky Blues something to think about.

Wides cost Kildare dearly with 14 overall and seven of those from free-taker Jack Sheridan who was also their top scorer with 0-9.

Dónal Burke was Dublin's chief scorer with 11 points as they picked up their first win of the campaign after losing a cracker to Clare last Sunday.

There was a Dubs League debut for Cathal Kennedy who came on and scored while there was more precious game time too for the returning Eoghan O'Donnell.

Dublin have a three-week break now until they play Wexford at Croke Park in a game that could make or break their promotion bid.

This was Kildare's first game of the campaign as they got a Round 1 bye and they will host Antrim in Newbridge next weekend.

Chris Crummey of Dublin in action against Muiris Curtin, left, and Jack Sheridan. Pic: Dáire Brennan/Sportsfile

They will hope for a belated win to kick start their campaign as they were always chasing this game.

They only scored one point from play in the first-half, a Sheridan score, while Dublin hit the interval with a 2-8 to 0-5 advantage.

Brian Hayes showed some classy touches for the Dubs but also whacked four of their nine first half wides.

Both sides ran in their full allocation of subs after the break but it didn't get a whole pile better for Kildare.

Gerry Keegan scored their only point from open play in the second half.

Dublin weren't exactly at their swashbuckling best either but the 2025 All-Ireland semi-finalists were always in control.

Burke, with two scores, and Dara Purcell reeled off three Dublin points to stretch the gap in the third quarter.

And there was no way back for Kildare when Dublin hit four more in a row between the 63rd and 69th minutes.

Burke grabbed three of those points from frees and Darragh Power hit the other on a heavy pitch at Parnell Park.

Kildare started a dozen of last year's Championship team and will be hoping James Burke and David Qualter can make speedy returns from injury.

Scorers for Dublin: R Hayes 2-0, D Burke 0-11 (0-07f, 0-03 65), D Purcell 0-2, C O Riain 0-2, B Hayes 0-1, C Kennedy 0-1, D Ó Dúlaing 0-1, D Power 0-1.

Scorers for Kildare: J Sheridan 0-9 (0-8f, 0-1 65), C McCabe 0-1 (0-1f), G Keegan 0-1.

DUBLIN: E Gibbons; J Bellew, P Smyth, E O'Donnell; A Dunphy, C Crummey, C Burke; C Groarke, C Donohoe; B Hayes, D Purcell, D Power; D Ó Dúlaing, R Hayes, D Burke.

Subs: C O Riain for Donohoe 43, C Kennedy for Groarke 48, S Gallagher for O'Donnell 62, T Brennan for Ó Dúlaing 64, J Madden for Purcell 68.

KILDARE: P McKenna; D O'Meara, R Boran, S Leacy; P Dolan, C Boran, L O'Reilly; A Goss, C McCabe; D Guerin, G Keegan, C Dowling; J Sheridan, M Curtin, J Dolan.

Subs: J Travers for J Dolan h/t, C Boran for Goss 51, C Smith for C Dowling 59, C Derivan for O'Meara 63, T Ryan for Curtin 68.

Referee: J Owens (Wexford).