Dublin wasted little time in reaffirming their control upon the restart through a brace of early Donal Burke points before David Purcell entered the fray to bring fresh life to their attack.
The directness of the Kilmacud Crokes player saw him create two chances for O’Sullivan before another arrived for Whitely to power home past McKenna for the second occasion.
It was of scant surprise to see Purcell chip in with a goal of his own in the 49th minute, with Donohoe the architect with a powerful run down the middle and well-timed pass.
The contest meandered to its inevitable conclusion but Kildare’s efforts were rewarded as Sheridan blasted home past Eddie Gibbons but was unable to do likewise from a penalty three minutes from time.
Dublin’s next match will take place against Wexford on Saturday week in Wexford Park.
Scorers – Dublin: D Burke 0-7 (5f); F Whitely 2-0; C Donohoe 0-4; David Purcell 1-0; J Hetherton 0-3; C O’Sullivan, R Hayes 0-2 each; C Crummey, C Burke, B Hayes, D Power, Dara Purcell, C Ó Riain 0-1 apiece. Kildare: J Sheridan 1-10 (0-7f); D Guerin 0-3; D O’Meara, C Smith 0-2 each; M Curtin, D Melville 0-1 apiece.
Dublin: E Gibbons; P Smyth, E O’Donnell, J Bellew; C Crummey, P Doyle, C Burke; C Donohoe, B Hayes; F Whitely, D Burke, D Power; Dara Purcell, J Hetherton, C O’Sullivan. Subs: David Purcell for Dara Purcell (42), R Hayes for Hetherton (51), L Rushe for Crummey (53), C Ó Riain for O’Sullivan (55), A Dunphy for Bellew (66).
Kildare: P McKenna; S Leacy, R Boran, L O’Reilly; Conan Boran, D O’Meara; R Hogan, C McCabe; J Sheridan, D Guerin, D Qualter; G Keegan, M Curtin, C Smith. Subs: A Goss for Qualter (6), T Power for Curtin (40), D Melville for Dolan (44), J Travers for Hogan (49), E Ó Briain for Goss (58).
Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim).