Full-forward Darragh Kirwan was the star for Kildare as he contributed 1-05, including a first-half two-pointer and a polished second-half goal, as the Lilywhites boosted their promotion hopes with a 1-16 to 0-13 defeat of a dogged Sligo at Markievicz Park.
Sligo were in the game at half-time as they only trailed by a point, 0-09 to 0-08, but Kildare showed their scoring power in the second-half.
Still, it was until the last 10 minutes that Kildare took charge and took the spoils for their second win of the campaign, with Sligo having lost twice from their opening two fixtures.
In beautiful spring sunshine, the first-half was generally competitive.
Kildare were a threat early on and bagged the game's opening two points through Niall Kelly.
Sligo, with team captain Niall Murphy back in the starting line-up, soon settled and were 0-03 to 0-02 up by the 12th minute thanks to scores from Alan Reilly, Darragh Cummins and Niall Murphy, who converted a free.
An upright denied Kildare a two-pointer when David Hyland’s effort came off the woodwork after 10 minutes - three minutes later Darragh Kirwan raised the only orange flag of the opening period when he landed an effort from outside the scoring arc.
By the 24th minute Kildare had moved 0-08 to 0-04 in front after further good scores, including efforts from Ryan Sinkey and Alex Beirne.
Sligo outscored Kildare for the remainder of the first-half, 0-04 to 0-01, as Darragh Cummins, Patrick O’Connor, Niall Murphy and Alan McLoughlin found the target for the hosts.
Seven of Kildare’s nine points in that first-half came from inside forwards Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan and Niall Kelly. Darragh Kirwan was denied a certain goal after 34 minutes because Sligo custodian Aidan Devaney produced a superb save.
Kildare, who were a point up at the break, 0-09 to 0-08, extended their lead within five minutes of the restart as Ryan Houlihan and Darragh Kirwan sped through for fisted points.
With 15 minutes on the clock Kildare were beginning to take control and were 0-13 to 0-10 clear. But they only hit another point over the next nine minutes as Sligo recovered to make it a one-point game, 0-14 to 0-13.
Darragh Cummins was again on the scoresheet for Sligo and a big score was Niall Murphy’s two-pointer from a converted free.
Goalkeeper Aidan Devaney’s converted '45’ was also vital for Sligo, who were unable to push on as they paid the price for seven second-half wides.
Kildare, more effective in front of the target, put this game to bed with two minutes of normal time left when Darragh Kirwan goaled emphatically from substitute Ben McCormack’s pass after Sligo coughed up possession from their own kick-out.
The winners were six points better off at full-time which was arguably harsh considering Sligo’s efforts but Kildare were still deserving winners.
Sligo: Aidan Devaney (0-1, 1 ‘45’), Paul McNamara, Eddie McGuinness, Evan Lyons, Brian Cox, Darragh Cummins (0-03), Ross Doherty, Canice Mulligan, Paul Kilcoyne, Cian Lally, Alan McLoughlin (0-02f), Eoghan Smith, Alan Reilly (0-01), Patrick O’Connor (0-02), Niall Murphy (0-04, 2f, 1tpf).
Subs: Jack Lavin for Ross Doherty, 49; Pat Spillane for Eoghan Smith, 56; Luke Towey for Alan Reilly, 62; David Quinn for Cian Lally, 68.
Kildare: Didier Cordonnier (0-01 ‘45’), Ryan Burke, Mick O’Grady, Brian Byrne, Ryan Houlihan (0-01), James McGrath, David Hyland, Kevin Feely, Callum Bolton, Brian McLoughlin, Alex Beirne (0-02), Colm Dalton (0-02), Ryan Sinkey (0-02), Darragh Kirwan (1-05, 1tp), Niall Kelly (0-02).
Subs: Darragh Swords (0-01) for Ryan Sinkey, h-t; Kevin Flynn for Ryan Burke, 47; Aaron Masterson for Niall Kelly, 56; Cathal Hagney for Alex Beirne, 60; Ben McCormack for Brian McLoughlin, 68
Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway)
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