THIS was one of Derry's better days, a day when Paddy Crozie's irritatingly inconsistent stars displayed their more positive side. Another flirtation with the Qualifiers began in the most rewarding way possible, and the Oak Leafers genuinely believe they can repeat their heroics of two seasons ago, when they went all the way to the All Ireland semi-finals via the scenic route.

Now they're ready to embark on another journey of adventure, having brought Kildare's eventful season to an abrupt end at Celtic Park.

Even without suspended sharpshooter Enda Muldoon, they packed enough punch to ensure it was to be a black day for the Lilywhites. For Kildare, a long, lonely and lazy summer of inactivity lies ahead, and as they headed back down the Glenshane Pass last night, there was plenty of time for reflection on another all too brief season on underachievement.

Paddy Bradley illuminated an open and entertaining contest with a scintillating attacking performance, hitting six points and creating countless other opportunities for his attacking colleagues. And it was midfielder Johnny McBride who hit the game's only goal on the half-hour to leave the Leinster men with a mountain to climb.

Padraig Hurley came into Kildare's starting line-up at midfield after the huge loss of Dermot Earley was confirmed, due to a foot injury picked up in training. And the former Allstar's absence was sorely felt by a Lilywhite side which struggled for lengthy periods in the central area. Nevertheless, Kildare succeeded in exposing weaknesses in a reshaped Derry defence, but failed to take full advantage of a strong wind. At the turnaround trailed by three points, after McBride had thumped in a 30th minute goal.

Paddy Bradley was a constant thorn in the side of the Oak Leaf defence, both as creator and finisher, tormenting three different markers . . . John Divilly, Andrew McLoughlin and Kevin O'Neill . . . at various stages of the opening half.

Mark Lynch, playing at centre back, offered Derry more as a thrusting attacking force than as a defensive pivot, always finding James Kavanagh a handful.

Kavanagh kicked a point and created countless opportunities for his colleagues, three of which were converted in style from play by Padraig O'Neill, with John Doyle on target twice from placed balls. It was point for point for the opening 25 minutes, by which stage the sides were deadlocked on 0-5 each.

But suddenly the Ulster men caught fire, going in front for the first time through Bradley, and hitting 1-3 in the space of five minutes to rock their opponents. It was Gavin Donaghy who sent midfielder McBride away on the left to drill a low, left-footed shot past Enda Murphy, and now Derry led by five points. Kildare did rally late in the half for O'Neill and Taidhg Fennin to hook over points, and at the break, it was Paddy Crozier's side which led by 1-7 to 0-7.

And they turned on the style in the early stages of the second half, with Bradley again, and Ciaran Mullan, kicking delightful scores.

Kavanagh did all he could to kick-start the Lilywhite challenge, but there was little in the way of end product. At the other end, meantime, Bradley was still wreaking havoc, sending midfielder Fergal Doherty through for a fisted point, and adding another sublime effort himself. The industry of his younger brother Eoin was also rewarded when he hoisted over a long range score. To their credit, Kildare did display some resistance even as the game slipped irretrievably away from them. They created another goal chance, but O'Neill could only manage a point, before he capped a fine individual performance with his fifth point from play.

It was the man of the moment, Bradley, however, who fittingly had the last say, driving over a long range free, his sixth score of the contest, to confirm his side's involvement in the draw for the third round.

DERRY B Gillis; K McGuckin, K McCloy, J O'Kane; F McEldowney, M Lynch (0-1), F Crossan; F Doherty (0-1), J McBride (1-0); J Diver (0-1), J Kelly (0-3), G Donaghy (0-1), C Mullan (0-2, one free); P Bradley (0-6, 2 frees), E Bradley (0-1) Subs G Diamond for Donaghy, SM Lockhart for Lynch, R Convery (0-1) for Diver

KILDARE E Murphy; A Mac Lochlainn, K O'Neill, M Hogarty; M Foley, J Divilly, A Rainbow; K Brennan, P Hurley; J Doyle (0-3, one 45, two frees), J Kavanagh (0-2), R Sweeney; T Archbold, T O'Connor, P O'Neill (0-5) Subs T Fennin (0-1) for Sweeney (blood) Sweeney for Hurley, M Fitzharris for Fennin (blood), Fennin for Archbold, E Callaghan for Rainbow, P Mullarkey (blood) for Sweeney Referee M Daly (Mayo)