In a decisive match under the dreary March rains, the undefeated Donegal ensured their ascent to Division One football whilst simultaneously ensuring that the yet to win a match Kildare would be relegated. Despite a final game yet to be played, it appeared the fate of both teams was determined ahead of time. The match ended up serving as yet another disappointment for Kildare at their interim home ground – Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow.
Jim McGuinness, in the first season of his return, leads his native Donegal straight back to premium league football. This comes after their demotion which happened just last year. The heavy defeat of Cavan by Armagh in another match solidified Donegal’s elevation regardless of their match’s outcome.
Donegal, who scored 16 of their 17 from the game, would treat the final round against Meath as a simple formality, which then leads onto a probable Division Two final against Armagh on Easter Sunday, a team they had previously drawn with.
The ignominious relegation to Division Three induces further pressure on Kildare about their participation in the summer championship. Although Glenn Ryan’s men are on the Dublin side in the Leinster championship, they owe it to themselves to make the finals to avoid spending their summer in the Tailteann Cup.
Donegal went into the half-time break leading by two points and then elegantly eased past Kildare, scoring three consecutive points at the start of the second half. Paddy McBrearty and Daire O’Baoil each scoring for the first time.
Kildare briefly breathed hope following a well-orchestrated goal on the 49th minute. Daniel Flynn successfully passed to Alex Beirne who expertly scored past Shaun Patton, bringing the game to within two points, with the score standing at 0-13 to 1-8. However, Donegal responded with two consecutive scores while Kildare, in a starkly contrasting and dismal performance, didn’t score again.
Earlier on Saturday, Louth’s impactful win against Fermanagh kept their survival hopes alive and added an extra motivation for their final round match against Kildare back in Carlow.
In the final whistle, Donegal didn’t lack variety in their offence with nine unique scorers, a stark contrast to Kildare’s mere three, painting an accurate picture of the match-up. Peadar Mogan wore the number seven jersey with pride, contributing a five point shot for Donegal and Michael Langan was also undeniably influential, adding three of his own to the mix.
Having an awareness of the ante at play, Kildare’s game plan hinged on hitting the ground running, however, it was Donegal that made the early impactful plays. A noteworthy moment in the opening minutes was when Ciaran Thompson got one past Kildare’s keeper, Mark Donellan and a mere four minutes in, Thompson succeeded in slotting one between the posts from a close range, with an admirable lack of complication.
While zero visibility and less than ideal atmospheric conditions were the initial challenge, a minor improvement lit up a rather spirited first half. Kevin Feely helped Kildare match up with a successful mark at five minutes and the first quartile stayed fairly competitive, even though Donegal carried and controlled the majority of the ball.
Following a brief push forward by Mogan for Donegal, Feely responded with a free to even the odds again. Donegal then began to stride ahead with Langan capitalising on an ample opportunity from afar, and Caolan McGonagle catching one near the sticks.
Feely’s second free tethered Kildare, but it took the side a little over 20 minutes to land their initial score from the field – with Feely setting up Beirne and closing the gap to 0-5 to 0-4. When Langan netted another from afar without missing a beat, followed by Thompson’s second shot, Donegal further demonstrated their dominance.
In the interlude before halftime, Shane Farrell and Beirne scrambled two points back for Kildare, leaving Ryan feeling relatively appeased, trailing by only two points, 0-8 to 0-6, especially given Donegal’s failure to secure a single free in that half, as against Kildare’s six.
In the final part of the first half, Donegal swapped Stephen McMenamin and Jeaic McKelvey with Ciaran Moore and Aaron Doherty in their defence line whilst Kildare saw Brian Byrne step down for Jack Sargent.
As the floodlights brightened the field for the second half play, Kildare’s battle to sustain their position in Division Two wilted away in the fading light of the damp, dismal March evening.
Kildare’s football team consisted of individuals such as M Donnellan, R Houlihan, M O’Grady, R Burke, P McDermott, E Doyle, and J Sargent. Others on the pitch were A Masterson, K O’Callaghan, A Beirne (who scored 1-3), B Kelly, S Farrell (who got 0-1), K Feely (who scored 0-4, with two frees and two marks), D Flynn, and N Kelly. Players who came on as substitutes included L Killian for O’Callaghan (after 52 minutes), P Woodgate for Kelly (at 55 minutes), S O’Sullivan for Kelly (at 58 minutes), B Byrne for Houlihan (at 59 minutes), and T Archbold for Sergant (at 69 minutes).
In contrast, Donegal’s team comprised players like S Patton, M Curran, C Moore, A Doherty (who successfully scored 0-1), R McHugh, C McGonagle (0-1), P Mogan, (who powered through with 0-5), H McFaddan, M Langan (who achieved 0-3), S O’Donnell, C Thompson (secured 0-2), O Doherty (who got 0-1), P McBrearty (0-1), O Gallen (0-1), and D O’Baoill (0-2). The reserves included the likes of J Brennan for McFadden (during the half time), J McKelvey for O Doherty (at the 53rd minute), N O’Donnell for A Doherty (at the 56th minute), L McGlynn for O’Baoill, R Gallagher for Thompson (at the 66th minute). The referee for the match was Paul Faloon from Down.