Kildare 2-9

Westmeath 0-11

Kildare won the big game in Division 3 at TEG Cusack Park to boost their hopes of making a quick return to Division 2.

Goals from Daniel Flynn and substitute Cian O'Donoghue in the 21st and 26th minute paved the way for a deserved victory over a disappointing home side, who could only manage two points from play.

New Kildare manager Cian O'Neill had his team fired up as they established a 2-6 to 0-8 lead after playing against the wind in the first half. Late call-up Flynn got the first goal before a second from O'Donoghue - who replaced Ciaran Fitzpatrick in the 14th minute - propelled them into a 2-3 to 0-7 lead. Cathal McNally and Niall Kelly added points to leave four between the sides at the break.

John Heslin registered his fifth free on the restart, only for McNally and Paul Cribbin to reply for the Lilywhites. Westmeath's efforts to score a late equalising goal were all in vain as Kelly kicked a late insurance point.

Kildare - M Donnellan; O Lyons, P Kelly, C Fitzpatrick; J Byrne, F Conway, D Hyland; Daryl Flynn, Daniel Flynn (1-0); A Tyrrell (0-3f), E O'Flaherty, P Cribbin (0-1); N Flynn, N Kelly (0-3), C McNally (0-2). Subs: C O'Donoghue (1-0) for C Fitzpatrick, E O'Connor for Daryl Flynn, P O'Neill for A Tyrrell, E Callaghan for E O'Flaherty (BC), M Sherry for N Flynn.

Westmeath - D Quinn; D Lynch, K Maguire, J Gonoud; J Dolan, P Holloway, A Stone; D Corroon, S Flanagan; K Martin (0-3f), P Sharry, G Egan (0-1); J Heslin (0-6f), C McCormack (0-1), S Dempsey. Subs: R Connellan for S Flanagan, J Egan for S Dempsey, D Daly for C McCormack, K Daly for A Stone.

Referee - N Mooney.

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