Gaelic Games

NFL Division Three round-up: Kildare lay down marker with big win over Fermanagh

Offaly and Antrim also off to winning starts but Storm Éowyn aftermath sees Leitrim v Laois postponed

Darragh Kirwan scored one of Kildare's two goals in an emphatic victory over Fermanagh in Newbridge on Saturday night. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Darragh Kirwan scored one of Kildare's two goals in an emphatic victory over Fermanagh in Newbridge on Saturday night. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Kevin Corrigan
Sun Jan 26 2025 - 17:01

Promotion favourites Kildare set out a real marker of intent with a ruthless 2-24 to 1-12 destruction of Fermanagh in Division Three of the National Football League on Saturday in the impressively renovated St Conleth’s Park.

In a tight and competitive looking division, Kildare are very much the standout name and this had the feel of a statement win as they look to bounce back up after failing to win a game in Division Two last year.

There were also wins for Offaly over Sligo and Antrim over Clare, while the Leitrim v Laois game fell victim to the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. It was fixed for Ballinamore on Saturday and then refixed for Sunday but with power not restored in the area, it was called off. The Competitions Control Committee will now have to decide on a refixture on Monday.

Adapting very well to the new rules, Kildare attacked very well in the first half and it was theirs to lose as they led by 0-13 to 0-7 at half-time.

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Fermanagh played better in the second half and a Shane McGullion goal in the 47th minute after calamitous defending gave them a glimmer of hope. Kildare’s response was very impressive and an excellent Darragh Kirwan goal gave them a 1-21 to 1-10 lead, ending it as a contest.

Kildare sauntered home from there with Ryan Sinkey putting the icing on a sweet tasting cake with a late goal.

In Tullamore, Offaly outscored Sligo by 1-10 to 0-4 in the second half for a deserved 1-17 to 0-13 win.

Sligo led by 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time after getting on top in the 10 minutes before the break. Offaly had led by 0-6 to 0-4 after 23 minutes but Sligo then hit five without reply before Keith O’Neill got his fourth and Offaly’s seventh in injury-time.

Ruarí McNamee’s 53rd-minute goal helped Offaly to lead by 1-13 to 0-9 after 55 minutes and they held on comfortably from here on as Sligo kicked 15 wides in total.

In Belfast’s Corrigan Park, Antrim held on for a crucial 1-9 to 1-6 win over Clare.

Antrim were in a very strong position when they went in leading at half-time by 1-7 to 1-1. Played in harsh conditions, Antrim made a flying start with a Fionn Nagle goal helping them to a 1-4 to no score lead after just six minutes.

Clare’s first score in the 10th minute was a wind assisted Ciarán Downes goal but Antrim were back in the driving seat at the break.

Clare fought hard in the second half but Antrim played very solidly and that half-time cushion proved sufficient to get home.