Five-goal Kildare beat Westmeath by 18 points to reach Leinster Minor semi-final
Kildare are through to the semi final of the 2026 Leinster Minor Football Championship after they had 18 points, 5-15 to 0-12 to spare over Westmeath in Cusack Park
Kildare are through to the semi final of the 2026 Leinster Minor Football Championship when they had 18 points to spare over Westmeath in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Tuesday evening. Five first half goals were the foundation for the win as Kildare blitzed the home side in the opening 30 minutes. Cusack Park Mullingar has been a happy hunting ground for Kildare underage teams in recent weeks as both the U20's and now the Minors have advanced in their respective competitions.
On a perfect evening for football, Kildare were on the front foot from the start and Aidan Tobin had Kildare on the scoreboard inside two minutes. Charlie Doran, Jack Doran, Paidi Ryan and Greg Kelly seized control around the middle from an early stage and it proved to be the platform for Cian Kehoe's third minute goal. Dean Kelly replied for Westmeath after four minutes but it would be one of only four points in that opening half.
Charlie Doran set up Eoghan Lyons for a second Kildare point and another powerful run from Doran saw him break clear of Westmeath defenders before he set Aidan Tobin for a second Kildare green flag. Mark Monaghan kept Westmeath in touch with a fine two pointer. It was mere consolation for the home side as Kildare would kick the next five scores.
Aidan Tobin fisted over his second on 11 before Jack Doran got forward for a fourth point and at the end of the opening quarter Kildare were seven up. Liam Mescal was causing plenty of problems with his blistering pace and on one of his many furours into enemy territory he linked up with Eoghan Lyons for a third Kildare goal.
The Kildare dominance on the scoreboard continued as Cian Kehoe latched onto another Charlie Doran pass to tap over another point. In a rare Westmeath attack, Darragh Murray spurned a glorious chance for a goal, his effort flashing well wide of the post. Stephen McWade did have time for a 21st minute point but Kildare were never far from a score.
Jamie Flood was involved in the next two Kildare goals, firstly playing in Jack Doran who had a simple palm home before he got on the end of Paidi Ryan's pass to add a fifth Kildare goal four minutes before the break. Fionn Lawlor, Jack Reilly and Cian Kehoe added late points to leave Kildare 5-8 to 0-4 ahead after 30 minutes.
Westmeath made three changes at the break in an effort to stem the Kildare attack but a brilliant run from Paidi Ryan saw the Round Towers man curl over a ninth Kildare point three minutes after the restart. Ryan added a second on 45 as the Kildare dominance somewhat subsided. Westmeath added four unanswered points between Ryan's points but there was still a mountain to climb for the home side. Stephen McWade, Mark Monaghan, Conor Cleary and Darragh Murray all on target.
Both sides emptied the benches before the end but Kildare had one eye on the semi final with 10 minutes left on the clock. Kildare outscored the men in Maroon by five points to three over those closing minutes. The home side had goal chances but Darragh Murray and Harry Hughes shot wide of open goals. Eoghan Lyons capped a fine individual performance with points two and three and, despite taking a heavy blow to the head, Liam Mescal added a point to go with his first half goal.
Aaron Connaire landed a fine two pointer for Westmeath before Kildare substitute Logan Tennyson and Jack Reilly brought Kildare's tally to 5-15. Darragh Murray landed the last Westmeath score but this game was a long time over as a contest.
Kildare are into a semi final where an open draw will see them play either Dublin or Louth. On the evidence of this performance, Kildare are entitled to have championship aspirations.
Kildare: Joe Crotty; Eoin Markey, Ryan Crawford, Liam Mescal 1-1; Fionn Lawlor 0-1,Jack Doran 1-1,Luke Shanahan; Charlie Doran, Paidi Ryan 0-2; Jamie Flood 1-0, Aidan Tobin 1-2, Eoghan Lyons 0-3; Jack Reilly 0-2 (1f), Greg Kelly, Cian Kehoe 1-2. SUBS: Logan Tenneyson 0-1 for Jamie Flood 43, Gearoid Clare for Fionn Lawlor 48, Rory Cooke for Paidi Ryan 54, Fiachra Martin for Liam Mescal 54, Calum Cowzer for Aidan Tobin 56.
Westmeath: Tom McCaul; Tom Weir, Cian McKeogh, Louie Dillon; Eoghan Daly, Tomas Brennan, Conor Cleary 0-1; Mark Monaghan 0-4(2pf), Billy Stenson; Darragh Murray 0-2, Dean Kelly 0-1, Alex Mullen Adamson; Stephen McWade 0-2 (2f), Aaron Connaire 0-2 (2pt), Darragh Deegan. SUBS: Finn Brennan for Billy Stenson 20, Aaron Claffey for Darragh Deegan H/T, Rhys Brady for Eoghan Daly H/T, Harry Hughes for Louie Dillon H/T, Callum Clinton for Stephen McWade 50.
Referee: Eamon O Connor