Roscommon 0-08, Kildare 0-07 (half-time)
Tommy Carr's Roscommon lead the vanquished Leinster finalists by a point at the break in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise.
The Lilywhites were off to a slow start, with Karol Mannion pointing Roscommon's second point after just two minutes. However Kildare forward Padraig Brennan pointing on ten minutes to draw his side level at 0-3 apiece.
Five points from Kildare half-forward Paddy Murray, including one free, helped his side to a 0-7 to 0-6 lead before a great score from Jonathan Dunning and Frankie Dolan's second free of the game gave Roscommon their slender lead.