Heartbreak for Kildare as they are pipped by Dublin in Croke Park

Leinster GAA Senior Football Championship 2023

Kildare 0-14

Dublin 0-12

Have no doubt, this is one game, from a Kildare point of view, that will definitely go down as one that got away.

The Lilies took on Dublin at Headquarters as rank outsiders with layers offering those who were interested Dublin at 1/33, Kildare quoted at 12/1 but like most things when the ball is thrown-in, the players cross the white line odds mean absolutely nothing.

Kildare opened with a fine point from Darragh Kirwan after one minute and led all the way or were level until the 60 minute when Jack McCaffrey edged The Dubs in front for the first time in this Leinster SFC semi-final.

Kildare led at the break by two, 0-8 to 0-6.

And when Paddy Woodgate knocked over a 45 in the 41 minute, Glenn Ryan's side were four points clear and Kildare fans were beginning to dream.

Unfortunately the dream didn't come through, with Dublin showing all their experience and belief kept at it until they final drew level with that McCaffrey point before Cormac Costello landed a free on the 64 and Lorcan O'Dell made it two ahead on 72 minutes.

Heartbreak, yes, for Kildare, but all things considered the team showed tremendous courage as they more than matched Dublin for most of the game, putting on their best display since Glenn Ryan & Co took charge at the start of last season.

As for Dublin?

Well, we'll have to wait and see. They certainly did not play to the standards we have come expect, whether that was due to Kildare's showing or Dublin's demise we will have to wait and see until the All-Ireland Series gets under way in a couple of weeks time.

One way or another, The Lilies can certainly look forward to that series, the wins of Louth (over Offaly) and Armagh (over Down) ensuring Kildare will take their place in the 16 man new-look series.

After that opening point from Darragh Kirwan Kildare had golden chance to find the recalled Stephen Cluxton's net when Jack Robinson was put through on a one-to-one situation against Cluxton. And with three defenders breathing down his neck the Clogherinkoe man let fly only for Cluxton to show all his experience making a super save.

Paul Mannion, Dublin's best forward by a country mile, had his side level on seven minutes before Paddy Woodgate converted an excellent free from close to the Hogan Stand side line after Kevin Flynn made one of his many forages into enemy territory, only to be fouled, the Raheens man doing the rest.

A Paul Mannion free had the sides level; Dublin hit two shorts along with a wide before Paddy McDermott, making one of his many telling runs at the Dublin defence, was fouled and again Paddy Woodgate did the rest.

Kildare were matching Dublin stride for stride at this stage, Dublin were showing they were somewhat off-colour, Cluxton hitting a 45 left and wide before Darragh Kirwan found Paddy Woodgate and he converted to edge Kildare ahead by one on 25 minutes.

Ciaran Kilkenny leveled it up again as a few claps of thunder were heard over Croker.

A Dublin defender handled on the ground and Jack Robinson said thank you very much and fired over the resultant free.

Jack Sargent broke up a Dublin attack before Ben McCormack hit a beauty and when Alex Beirne found Darragh Kirwan the Naas man had The Lilies three clear on 31 minutes.

Points from Con O'Callaghan (free) and Ross McGarry reduced the gap to one but Kildare went on the attack again, this time

Eoin Doyle found Darragh Kirwan who was pulled back and Jack Robinson sent Kildare to the dressing room leading by two — 0-18 to 0-6.

That lead was no more than Kildare deserved and when Ben McCormack hit a brilliant point Kildare were really putting it up to The Dubs and a converted 45 on 41 minutes, by Paddy Woodgate saw the lead reach four points.

Sean Bugler and Colm Basquel reminded one and all that Dublin were not gone away with two points but Kildare continued to use their power and pace and on 48 minutes, Ben McCormack attacked through the middle before being adjudged to have been fouled (looked harsh) but Jack Robinson fired over the free to extend the lead back to three again with 48 minutes on the clock.

Dublin upped their game and three points on the trot, from Lee Gannon, Con O'Callaghan and Cian Murphy had the sides level at 0-11 apiece.

Back came Kildare with the point of the day. Kevin O'Callaghan, Ben McCormack combined with quick decisive passes, the Sarsfields man passing to Neil Flynn who hit a cracker to retain the lead by one — 59 minutes on the clock.

Jack McCaffrey leveled it up ; Bugler picked up a yellow after testing the fabric of Paddy McDermott's shirt but it was Dublin who got the vital next score, a Cormac Costello free to take the lead for the first time on 64 minutes.

A Kildare short, and a wide; followed by three Dublin wides before Lorcan O'Dell left two in it on 72 minutes.

Dean Rock had a great chance to find the net when Mark Donnellan was out of position but his show went wide, the long whistle arrived, The Dubs into another Leinster final on a score line of Dublin 0-14 Kildare 0-12.

Dublin: Paul Mannion 0-3, Cormac Costello 0-1 (free), Con O'Callaghan 0-2 (1 free), Ross McGarry 0-1, Ciaran Kilkenny 0-1, Lee Gannon 0-1, Cian Murphy 0-1, Jack McCaffrey 0-1, Sean Bugler 0-1, Colm Basquel 0-1, Lorcan O'Dell 0-1.

Kildare: Paddy Woodgate 0-4 (2 frees, 45), Jack Robinson 0-3 (3 frees), Darragh Kirwan 0-2, Ben McCormack 0-2, Neil Flynn 0-1.

TEAMS

Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Daire Newcombe, David Byrne, John Small; Lee Gannon, Cian Murphy, Tom Lahiff; Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, Ross McGarry, Sean Bugler, Ciaran Kilkenny, Paul Mannion, Con O'Callaghan, Colm Basquel. Subs: Cormac Costello for Ross McGarry (half-time); Jack McCaffrey for Tom Lahiff (half-time); Lorcan O'Dell for Colm Basquel (48 minutes); Paddy Small for Paul Mannion (57 minutes); Dean Rock for Sean Bugler (64 minutes).

Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Eoin Doyle, Shea Ryan, Mick O'Grady cpt; David Hyland, Kevin Flynn, Jack Sargent; Kevin O'Callaghan, Aaron Masterson; Paddy McDermott, Ben McCormack, Alex Beirne; Jack Robinson, Darragh Kirwan, Paddy Woodgate. Subs: Paul Cribbin for Alex Beirne (45 minutes); Neil Flynn for Jack Robinson (48 minutes): Danial Flynn for Darragh Kirwan (56 minutes); Kevin Feely for Aaron Masterson (62 minutes); Jimmy Hyland for Ben McCormack (68 minutes).

REFEREE: Fergal Kelly, Longford.