Kildare 2-14 Donegal 1-13 - Kildare have brought Donegal back down to earth with a bump as they eventually claimed the points in this first game of the Allianz National League.
But not after an amazing comeback by Donegal in a game which proved a terrific advertisement for the national league.
This game deserved a full-house to witness some really exciting football instead of the half-empty stadium.
The Lillywhites looked like they had done enough midway through the second half to canter home.
But Donegal rolled up their sleeves and pulled it back to within just a point against a team that were six points ahead at one stage.
Donegal were without a couple of normal starters including the injured Karl Lacey as well as Paddy McGrath and Mark McHugh who were replaced minutes before the game by Marty Boyle and Ross Wherrity.
The late replacements didn’t seem to upset Donegal who went into an early two point lead thanks to Michael Murphy.
Paddy McBrearty stretched that lead to three points before Donegal were dealt an early blow.
Colm McFadden pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring strain and was replaced by Brick Molloy.
Donegal lost their early momentum after that as Kildare started to find their range through the evergreen Johnny Doyle and a goal from Thomas O’Connor after a deflection off the post.
Niall Kelly constantly kept the Kildare machine going forward with an excellent game at wing forward with constant probes of the All-Ireland champion’s backline.
Despite their early start, Donegal looked sluggish in attack in the first half and went in five points behind at the break with Kildare ahead 1-7 to Donegal’s 0-5.
Murphy got Donegal off to a good start to the second half with a point – which was to prove one of a total personal tally of eight points for the afternoon.
However, Kildare continued to probe and find openings for scores through the likes of Doyle, Kelly to make it 1-10 to 0-7 midway through the second-half.
But Kildare didn’t allow for the spirit of two Kilcar men McBrearty and Mark McHugh to lead a Donegal fightback.
The pair combined brilliantly for Donegal.
McBrearty knocked over a free, and then moments later sweeps a pass across the field for clubmate Mark McHugh to slot over.
And when Murphy added another free, there was just two points in it.
Brick Molloy slotted over another fine point to ensure a thrilling final ten minutes in what proved to be a truly entertaining opening league encounter.
Johnny Doyle’s long effort caught Donegal keeper Paul Durcan out when the ball bounced over his head to rattle the Donegal net for the second time in the game.
With just five minutes left, it appeared that Kildare’s four point lead would ease them home.
But in the very next passage of play, Brick Molloy rattled Kildare’s open net with his palm to make it game-on between these two great sides with four minutes left.
Niall Kelly scored another point for Kildare and Murphy once again replied for Donegal.
Kildare added another point and the clock finally beat what was almost an amazing Donegal comeback.
Donegal’s sluggish first half cost them the game but this was a thrilling advertisement for the national league.
Donegal: Paul Durcan; Marty Boyle, Neil McGee, Eamon McGee, Frank McGlynn, Declan Walsh, Anthony Thompson; Rory Kavanagh, Martin McElhinney, Ross Wherrity, Leo McLoone, Ryan Bradley, Colm McFadden, Michael Murphy and Paddy McBrearty