Johnny Doyle was the hero at Newbridge as he kicked eleven of Kildare's points in their 0-12 to 0-10 Division 1B win over Armagh.
The Lilywhites opened the National League in style, with Allenwood’s Doyle back to his best.
Steven McDonnell (0-06) drove Armagh's challenge. The Orchard men travelled with an under-strength side, but two McDonnell frees helped them go in at the break at 0-5 apiece.
Kildare, who hit the game's first four points, saw skipper Dermot Earley miss a good goal chance but Doyle kept them ahead. Mark Scanlon and Tomas O'Connor made their NFL debuts for the hosts.
Louth marked their return to top-flight football with a win today as Darren Clarke and Shane Lennon both netted against Down in the 2-14 to 1-13 victory in Drogheda.
Eamonn McEneaney’s men, Division Two champions last year, proved too good in this all-ticket clash in Drogheda, firing over six successive points at the start of the second half.
Clarke's goal nosed the hosts in front but a penalty from Aidan Carr, the son of Down manager Ross Carr, on the stroke of half-time gave the visitors a one-point lead.
But Louth's stunning run of points, allied to a Lennon spot kick, gave them the Division 1B spoils.
Conleth Gilligan turned in a man of the match display as he shot five points in Derry's 0-12 to 0-07 triumph over Galway in Salthill.
Omitted from the side for most of 2006, the Ballinderry clubman was in top form, weighing in with some outstanding scores.
In front of a crowd touching a thousand, Galway, who were without the Meehan brothers, went in front through Derek Savage and Cormac Bane.
But Derry fought back for 0-07 to 0-05 half-time lead. It was game over by the 51st-minute as the visitors led 0-11 to 0-05 – Paddy Bradley finished with four points.
Westmeath scooped their first NFL win over Laois since 1983 as their captain Dessie Dolan led by example in the 1-11 to 1-09 victory in Mullingar.
Dolan scored 1-03 in the opening half, his goal coming as he evaded the clutches of Peter O’Leary to run in and side-foot past Fergal Byron.
A poor kick-out from Gary Connaughton led to Brian 'Beano' McDonald netting for Laois on 18 minutes and the visitors trailed by 1-08 to 1-05 at half-time.
In foggy conditions, Laois rallied late on with McDonald, Paul Lawlor, Brian McCormack and Ross Munnelly pointing, but Denis Glennon’s injury-time effort sealed the home win.
