Kildare inflict heavy defeat on Fermanagh in Division Three

Fermanagh had a tough start to their Division Three campaign at Newbridge

Fermanagh fell to a heavy 2-24 to 1-12 defeat against Kildare in their Division Three opener at Newbridge.

A first-half flurry from the hosts which yielded six points in seven minutes, gave the Lilywhites a commanding lead from the outset and they never looked back.

Didier Cordonnier made a terrific double save midway through the opening period to deny Fermanagh a goal and a way back into the game.

Darragh McGurn did manage to reduce the Ernemen's deficit to six points heading into the break by landing two scores, including one from beyond the arc, before the interval.

Kildare were relegated after finishing bottom last year and were joined by Fermanagh on the final day, but it's the Leinster outfit who have been tipped for an immediate return to the second tier.

On this evidence, they could be hard to stop. Shane McGullion netted for the visitors, but their joy was short lived.

A point from Callum Bolton, Alex Beirne's two-point free and Darragh Kirwan's goal made it 1-21 to 1-10 with an hour gone.

In added time, Ryan Sinkey bagged another goal before David Hyland raised the orange flag to put the polish on a fine Kildare performance.