Kildare fall to two second half Kerry goals in Minor quarter-final

All-Ireland Minor Football Quarter-final

Kerry 2-13

Kildare 1-11

For the second time in a week Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, proved not to be a happy hunting ground for Kildare when on Saturday last, Munster champions Kerry, proved too strong for Kildare, beaten Leinster finals in the minor football grade.

Kerry came into this one as firm favourites having captured the Munster title just eight days previously.

And while many could argue they did not win like favourites should nevertheless they rarely looked like losing this one, that despite Kildare putting in a more than decent performance, level four times in the opening half, again early in the second half before two goals were their undoing, the first a somewhat fortuitous one, the second from a player running deep, taking no shortage of steps, before finding the Kildare net.

Man-of-the-match Kerry's Paddy Lane opened the scoring with Kildare's keeper, Cathal Moore leveling up soon after with a long range free.

Lane and Kildare's impressive Joey Cunningham exchanged points before Kerry regained the lead and went 0-4 to 0-2 up after 20 minutes.

Kildare then shocked the opposition, Harry Redmond gaining possession around the 45m line, went by two defenders and as the space appeared hit a low show to the left of Kerry keeper James Hoare to give The Lilies the lead for the first time, 1-2 to 0-4 after 22 minutes.

Paddy Land and Hara Hogan regained the lead for Kerry but Joey Cunningham leveled with a free after Tadhg Donlan was fouled.

Kerry regained the lead after Kildare were penalised for a late tackle and James Hoare came forward to give The Kingdom the half-time lead, 0-7 to 1-3.

A converted Lane free extended the lead to two on the resumption but points from Paul O'Dea and Joey Cunningham had the sides level again on 34 minutes.

Lane had Kerry back in front again before the same player attempting for a point saw his effort drop late and into the top left hand corner of the Kildare net and when Tomás Kennedy added a point suddenly Kerry were six clear, 1-11 to 1-5.

Joey Cunningham, a really fine prospect, reduced the gap but Paddy Lane and James Hoare (free) had it out to seven on 49 minutes.

Three points on the trot from Joey Cunningham gave The Lilies hope; Kerry's Tomás Kennedy was black carded before Evan Boyle (Kerry) carried the ball through the middle before planting it in the Kildare net. A fine goal despite a suspicion of over-carrying.

Joey Cunningham added two for Kildare; Oisín O'Neill picked up a second yellow as did Evan Boyle (Kildare) as the final whistle arrived Kerry advance to the All-Ireland minor final; for Kildare the end of the road for 2023.

Scorers: Kerry, Paddy Lane 1-7 (3 frees), Evan Boyle 1-0, Dara Hogan 0-2 (1 free), James Hoare 0-2 (2 frees), Paudie Fitzgerald 0-1, Tomás Kennedy 0-1.

Kildare, Joey Cunningham 0-8 (4 frees), Harry Redmond 1-0, Cathal Moore 0-1 (free), Jack McCabe 0-1 (free), Paul O'Dea 0-1.

KERRY: James Hoare; David Mulvihill, Ben Murphy, Isaac Brosnan; Padraig Moynihan, Keelan O'Shea, Gearóid Evans; Evan Boyle, Daniel Kirby; Paudie Fitzgerald, Tomás Kennedy, Seán Ó Cúinn; Dara Hogan, Oisín Healy, Paddy Lane. Subs: Aaron Kennelly for Seán Ó Cúinn (35 minutes); Stephen Gannon for Dara Hogan (35 minutes); Darragh O'Keeffe for Oisín Healy (44 minutes); Ruairí O'Connell for Paudie Fitzgerald (47 minutes); Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich for Pa Walsh (57 minutes).

KILDARE: Cathal Moore (Sarsfields); Liam Kelly (Milltown), Colm Moran (Athy), Ruaidhri Lawlor (St. Laurence's); Alex Tilly (Maynooth), James Donnelly (St. Laurence's), Liam O'Connor (Naas); Paul O'Dea (Maynooth), Rob Murray Jt Cpt (Naas); Seanan Murphy (St Laurence's), Tadhg Donlan (Round Towers), Joey Cunningham Jt Cpt (Allenwood); Harry Redmond (Sarsfields), Evan Boyle (Carbury), Evan Donnelly (Ellistown). Subs: Jack McCabe (Castlemitchell) for Liam O'Connor (44 minutes); Donnachadh Kinch (Castledermot) for Evan Donnelly (45 minutes); Michael Chambers (Maynooth) for Liam Kelly (50 minutes); Cian Keaveney (Athy) for Tadhg Donlan (50 minutes); Daniel Colbert (Clane) for Seanan Murphy (55 minutes).

REFEREE: Chris Maguire, Clare.