Kildare 1-17 Donegal 1-09

Donegal to fell to their first defeat in Allianz NFL Division 2 as Kildare produced a dominant display in Newbridge this afternoon.

Skipper John Doyle returned from suspension to kick six points while Ken Donnelly notched 0-03 as the Lilywhites ran out impressive winners.

Gary White (21 minutes) and Conall Dunne (23) swapped goals as Kildare established a strong foothold, leading 1-08 to 1-02 at half-time.

Donegal target man Michael Murphy scored 0-05 in the second period but the visitors' goal hunt was a fruitless one and a late point from Willie Heffernan rounded off Kildare's second victory of the campaign.

Donegal came into this game unbeaten, following opening wins over Westmeath and Laois, so John Joe Doherty's men had high hopes of making it a Leinster three in-a-row.

They were also determined to end their county's poor recent record at St Conleth's Park where Donegal had lost their last three games.

After suffering an 11 point drubbing by Down in their league opener, Kildare got back on track with a win over Tipperary in Thurles last time out and Kieran McGeeney's men were obviously eager to make it two victories on the bounce.

Murphy opened the scoring for Donegal with a first minute point, but it was all Kildare after that as they chalked up 1-05 without reply.

Doyle, Donnelly and Karl Ennis were causing huge problems for the visitors' defence. Doyle scored from a free and from play, Donnelly cut in off his left side to point with aplomb and Ennis followed up with the Lilywhites' fourth.

Murphy watched his '45' bounce back off a post and Damien Hendy cleared it. Kildare's precise passing left Donegal chasing shadows at times and when imposing midfielder Dermot Earley played a searching ball in, the visitors' defence was unlocked for a goal. Donnelly swept the ball across for wing back Gary White to tuck it past goalkeeper Michael Boyle.

But Donegal's 22-minute scoreless spell was ended when Kildare goalkeeper Thomas Corley failed to deal with a high ball and Conall Dunne tapped it home for a much-needed goal.

Kildare's response was immediate, though, and two more points from Doyle and a terrific score off the outside of Padraig O'Neill's right boot added some cushion to the home lead at the break - 1-08 to 1-02.