An inspired performance from Meath goalkeeper Charlie Ennis helped the home side pick up a valuable two points in the opening round of the Allianz National League 2A in a blustery Navan.
After the exploits of 2023, when Kildare contested the final of Division 2A, they were anxious to return to winning ways against newly promoted Meath and would have been most people's favourites to succeed.
Kildare had enjoyed a three-point Kehoe Cup victory over Meath only seven days earlier but both sides elected to make changes to their starting line ups.
The visitors went with a mixture of youth and experience whereas Meath, who only retained nine starters from last year's promoted side, were forced into a relatively new line-up.
A strong breeze into the town end meant Kildare enjoyed that early advantage and a decent opening 13 minutes had them 1-3 to 0-1 ahead. Jack Higgins and Jack Sheridan, from a free, opened the Kildare account before Cathal Dowling played in Cian Boran for the game's opening goal. Tom Shine responded with a point on eight but it would be the 22nd minute before Meath raised a second white flag.
Two Jack Sheridan 65s and a Conn Kehoe effort had Kildare seven ahead as we passed the 20th minute but an inspired five-minute spell saw Meath reduce the gap to a single point.
Nicholas Potterton scored a goal and a point before Jack Toher further reduced the gap. Niall McLarnon and Padraig O'Hanrahan, from a free, swapped points with Jack Sheridan and Higgins but Kildare lead 1-09 to 1-07 at the break.
Meath had a stiffening breeze on their backs on the restart and it looked like a stern challenge was in store for Kildare. Jack Toher sent over a wonderful sideline cut from 50 metres inside two minutes before Cian Boran responded after excellent work from Higgins.
Before the 42nd minute, Sean Martin and an O'Hanrahan free had Meath back level.
James Burke and Higgins combined to set up Muiris Curtin but straight from the puckout Nicholas Potterton reacted quickest to fire low across Paddy McKenna and Meath were ahead for the first time.
James Murray pushed Meath three ahead but Kildare responded and when Cathal Dowling found Conn Kehoe the Moorefield man shot low to the net.
Meath hit back with points from Toher, O'Hanrahan (2) and Sean Martin to push he Royals four ahead.
Charlie Ennis then pulled off a wonder save from Sheridan and you just felt it was going to be Meath's day.
Kildare could only muster a second Muiris Curtin point as Meath had the bit between their teeth and pushed six ahead as four minutes of injury time were signalled.
James Burke reduced the gap to three with a well taken goal but the clock wasn't in their favour and the whistle sounded for a 2-20 to 3-14 Meath victory.
Meath scorers: P O’Hanrahan 0-7fs, N Potterton 2-1,J Tudor 0-4 (1 s-l), S Martin 0-2, T Shine 0-1,N McLarnon 0-1, S Ennis 0-1, J Murray 0-1, S Geraghty 0-1, D Shine 0-1.
Kildare scorers: JSheridan 0-7 ( 5fs,2 '65), J Higgins 0-2, Cian Boran 1-1, CKehoe 1-1, J Burke 1-0, M Curtin 0-2, R Boran 0-1.
Meath: Charlie Ennis; Jarleth Ennis, Shane Whitty, Ronan Byrne; Niall McLarnon, Simon Ennis, Ethan Devine; Sean Quigley, Tom Shine; James Toher, James Murray, Seanie Martin; Nicky Potterton, James Kelly, Padraig O’Hanrahan.
Subs: Sean Geraghty for J Ennis (15); Daire Shine for Quigley (53); Kris Gorman for Kelly (65); Mark Horan for T Shine (68); Mickey Burke for Martin 74.
Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Cian Shanahan, Sean Christanseen, Mark Grace; Simon Leacy, Conan Boran, Rian Boran; Paul Dolan, Daire Guerin; Cathal Dowling, Jack Sheridan, Jack Higgins; Muiris Curtin, Declan Flaherty, Cian Boran.
Subs: Conn Kehoe for P Dolan (12); James Burke for Flaherty (43); James Dolan for Dowling (64).
Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim)
DIVISION 2B
Donegal started with a 16-point win over a makeshift Wicklow, whose manager Jonathan O'Neill was only appointed on Monday.
Gerard Gilmore and goalkeeper Luke White (penalty) got the goals for Donegal in a 2-23 to 0-13 victory in Aughrim, which reversed the Nickey Rackard final result between the two sides last year.
Derry had 10 points to spare over Tyrone in the end but the scoreline of 2-20 to 0-16 didn't tell the full story.
The hosts were 0-17 to 0-05 ahead at the interval but Tyrone scored the first seven points up the restart before self-destructing.
A goal from Corey O'Reilly was followed by a red card for Joe Toal, then Lorcan Devlin was sent off after Dara Mooney scored Derry's second.
In Athleague, Roscommon were 0-24 to 1-15 winners over London, who also finished with 13 men.
The hosts Rossies were 0-16 to 0-07 ahead at half-time, Mickey Joe Egan scoring three points from play, but the Exiles had cut the gap to four before Kevin Reid was sent off for a high challenge.
Free-taker Jack Goulding then picked up a second yellow card before Seán Glynn's late consolation goal.
DIVISION 3A
Louth had three goals on the board before they managed a point and needed them in the end to beat Monaghan by just three points, 4-14 1-20.
John Casey (2) and Darren Geoghegan helped the Wee County to a 3-08 to 0-07 half-time advantage but a Thomas Hughes' goal sparked an Oriel County comeback and Louth needed their fourth major, from Conor Murphy, to ensure victory.
Mayo also made a winning start, beating Armagh 1-18 to 2-07 in Castelbar.
Goals from Niall Lennon and Alex O'Boyle (penalty) kept the visitors in touch at half-time, 2-03 to 0-13, and they got within two points before Joseph Burke's goal put Mayo back in the driving seat.
Armagh finished with 13 players after a second yellow for Tiarnán Nevin and straight red card for Shea Harvey.
