Kildare book final spot but much to contemplate

Kevin Feely of Kildare in action against Ray Connellan of Westmeath during the Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Kildare and Westmeath

placeholder image — Kevin Feely of Kildare in action against Ray Connellan of Westmeath during the Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Kildare and Westmeath

Just three in it at the end

Kildare booked their place in this year's Leinster final with an unconvincing three point win over Westmeath at Croke Parkk this afternoon.

It was a mixed bag from Kildare who looked very dangerous in attack but were certainly found wanting at the back.

Kildare led at the break, despite conceding a goal after 23 seconds and a second later in the half, in between they played some great football, hitting no less than 13 points and a well worked goal, scored by Jimmy Hyland, palming the ball to the net from a pass from Daniel Flynn.

Ben McCormack was in flying form in that opening 35 minutes, with four points from play.

The score stood at 1-13 to 2-6 at the break and that increased to seven points after 53 minutes.

Westmeath kept plugging away however, and gradually reduced the lead and while they never looked like causing an upset, neverthelesss the margin of victory for Kildare certainly will leave Glenn Ryan ans his backroom with much to contemplate before the final on Saturday week.

Final score Kildare 1-21 Westeath 2-15.

Scorers: Kildare, Ben McCormack 0-5 (1 mark) Jimmy Hyland 1-4 (2 frees), Darragh Kirwan 0-5 (1 free), Daniel Flynn 0-2 (1 mark), Tony Archbold 0-1, Kevin Flynn 0-1, Paul Cribbin 0-1, Alex Beirne 0-1, Neil Flynn 0-1 (free).

Westmeath, RonanO'Toole 1-3, John Heslin 0-4 (1 free), Jamie Gonoud 1-0, Ray Connellan 0-2, Nigel Harte 0-1, Sam McCartan 0-4, Luke Loughlin 0-1,

KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Mick O'Grady spt, Shea Ryan, Mike Joyce; Tony Archbold, James Murray, Kevin Flynn; Kevin Feely, Kevin O'Callaghan; Alex Beirne, Ben McCormack, Paul Cribbin; Darragh Kirwan, Daniel Flynn, Jimmy Hyland. Subs: Paddy McDermott for Paul Cribbin (48 minutes); Fergal Conway for Kevin O'Callaghan (58 minutes); Neil Flynn for Jimmy Hyland (60 minutes); Aaron Masterson for Kevin Feely (69 minutes);

WESTMEATH: Jason Daly; Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire, David Giles; Jamie Gonoud, Ronan Wallace, Nigel Harte; Jonathan Lynam, Ray Connellan; Sam McCartan, Ronan O'Toole, David Lynch; Ger Egan, John Heslin, Alex Gardiner. Subs: Luke Loughlin for Jonathan Lynam (34 minutes); Sam Duncan for Alex Gardiner (48 minutes); James Dolan for David Lynch (55 minutes); Kieran Martin for Ger Egan (62 minutes); Robbie Forde for David Giles (67 minutes).

REFEREE: Sean Hurson, Tyrone.