Longford opened their Leinster U20 campaign with defeat to Kildare in a game where the All-Ireland champions pulled away.
Kildare led eight points to six at half-time. The game very even until the final moments of the half where Kildare stole a march.
Longford's Paddy Moran opened the scoring inside the opening 60 seconds. Two minutes later Niall Dolan free levelled the game, before Kildare moved in-front.
A David McPatland sixth minute 45” and another point five minutes later gave Kildare a four points to one lead.
Two points in a minute from Matthew Carey and Michael Flynn made it a one point game on 13 minutes. Caolann Lynch levelling the game on 24 minutes.
Fion Cooke put Kildare back in-front on 26 minutes. Caolann Lynch and Michael Flynn putting Longford in-front two minutes before the break.
However three late points, two from James Harris and one from Dolan had Kildare eight points to six at half-time.
The action resumed where it picked off, Colm Dalton moving Kildare clear after two minutes, before Longford pulled it back.
Michael Flynn and two Darragh Crowley points made it 11 points to nine. Colm Dalton drove over a Kildare point on 46 points minutes to restore the point lead.
The All-Ireland champions moved into another gear as Ryan Sinky cheecky 47th minute crept into the net.
A crucial goal as Kildare move 1-12 to nine points clear. Michael Flynn responded immediately with a Longford free. Niall Dolan moved Kildare 1-13 to 0-10 clear with 11 minutes remaining.
Kildare added a 55th minute with McPartland adding another 45” three minutes from time.
Matthew Carey rounded out the scoring with a 59th minute Longford point as Kildare won out 1-15 to 10 points.
Longford host Louth next Tuesday April second at 7:30pm in round two.
