GAME AT A GLANCE
By Daire Walsh
MAN OF THE MATCH
Johnny Byrne
Like Mayo’s Keith Higgins, Byrne has opted to once again try his hand at the small ball game after announcing his retirement from inter-county football last December. The Coill Dubh ace announced his return in spectacular fashion, contributing 1-3 from open play and acting as an effective link man around the middle-third.
TURNING POINT
Given how one-sided this game ultimately was, it is difficult to pinpoint a definitive turning point. Nonetheless, Donegal were just five points adrift on 27 minutes and Kildare’s powerful end to the opening half did eliminate any prospect of a shock result in Newbridge.
TALKING POINT
This was the very first time for Kildare to play under the new rules that were recently introduced by the GAA. It is expected to be a hot topic of conversation over the next few months and the awarding of a Kildare penalty in first-half stoppage-time for a cynical foul is likely to be the first many of throughout a hectic schedule of action.
SCORE OF THE MATCH
With seven permanent substitutes allowed, Kildare manager David Herity was looking for his replacements to make a telling impact. This was exactly what Naas’ Conor Dowling managed as his superb fetch close to the target on 63 minutes was immediately supplemented by an unstoppable finish to the Donegal net.
REFEREE WATCH
Also in charge for Kildare’s Christy Ring Cup triumph in Croke Park last November, Dublin whistler Chris Mooney kept order on a game that largely without major incident. His application of the new rules will be more rigorously tested than it was here, but he looked on top of his brief throughout.