Dublin withstood a strong second-half performance by Kildare to win an entertaining senior football challenge game under floodlights at the Iveagh Grounds in Crumlin last night.

Dublin looked the stronger team early on and they led by 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time. A fine goal by Jim Gavin followed by a Declan Barnes point underlined Dublin's superiority until four successive points brought Kildare back into the game.

Scorers: Dublin (J Gavin 1-4, M McIntyre 1-0, M Barnes, A Ryan, N Thompson 0-2 each, J McGee, R Boyle, D Barnes 0-1 each), Kildare (D Kerrigan 0-5, A McAndrew 1-0, P Brennan 0-3, A Rainbow, E McCormack 0-2 each, B French 0-1).