Kildare minors produce fine second half display

Kildare minor footballers booked a place in this season's Leinster MFC with a fully deserved eight point win over Laoist at Portlaoise on Wednesday last (April 25).

With wins over Offaly and Longford, Kildare were assured of play-off place, at least but Wednesday's victory sees them go directly to the semi-final in four weeks time.

Despite the final result The Lilies had to work hard to get the better of the near neighbours; they trailed at half-time before stepping it up considerably in the second half, eventually pulling clear.

Kildare struggled in those opening thirty minutes to get to grips with a determined Laois effort.That said Kildare contributed to the one point half time deficit as they over elaborated and lost possession at vital times throughout the half.

Joey Cunningham opened the scoring after three minutes as his blistering pace took him clear of three Laois defenders and he finished neatly.

Enna Byrne opened the Laois account a minute later. The resultant kick saw Cathal Moore pick out Ben Ryan and his quick transfer to his Round Towers club mate, Tadhg Donlan, allowed him the space to push Kildare ahead again.

Full forward Jamilo Salvador was causing trouble in the Kildare defence and when he forced a 45 Darren Brennan added the point.

Brennan then put Laois ahead for the first time with another 40 metre effort.

Kildare did create the first goal chance from the next attack but Evan Boyle's effort was easily saved.

Rob Murray levelled it on twelve. Joey Cunningham, from a free, and Darren Brennan's third kept the sides level at four a piece.

Laois finished the half the strongest with three points, Enna Byrne and Eoin Johnson with frees and a Byrne effort from play.

Kildare were playing catch up as they went to the dressing room 0-7 to 0-6 in arrears. Cunningham with another free and Jack McCabe keeping them in touch.

Niall Cronin's half-time talk worked the oracle and a much improved Kildare performance saw them outscore their opponents by 0-12 to 0-3 over the closing thirty minutes.

From the restart Senan Murphy broke forward and when he was fouled 45 metres out up stepped goal keeper Cathal Moore to hit the first of his three second half points.

Kildare had moved three ahead courtesy of Cunningham, Moore again and Harry Redmond before James Dunne registered the first Laois score on 40.

The closing twenty saw Kildare up their efforts.Their slick movement of the ball and team play, that had been lacking in the opening half, was too much for Laois.

Jack McCabe, Harry Redmond, Moore with his third, Tadhg Donlan and team captain Ben Ryan pushed Kildare eight ahead.

That lead allowed Kildare empty the bench.

Kildare outscored Laois by three points to two over the closing minutes see out an impressive second half. Joey Cunningham brought his personal tally to five, Evan Boyle getting his first on 63 before Ben Ryan rounded off the scoring.

While the eight point winning margin is nothing to be sniffed at there is room for improvement in the overall performance with a semi final up next.

A quicker start is imperative as the strength of the opposition will reach a higher level. A repeat of that second half for an hour would make Kildare difficult to beat.

KILDARE: Cathal Moore (Sarsfields) 0-3 (2 frees, 45); Liam Jelly (Milltown), Colm Moran (Athy), Aodan Jordan (Confey); Senan Murphy (St Laurence's), James Donnelly (St Laurence's), Rob Murray (Athy) 0-1; Evan Boyle (Carbury) 0-1, Ben Ryan cpt (Round Towers) 0-2; Tadhg Donlan (Round Towers) 0-2, Jack McCabe (Castlemitchell) 0-2, Evan Donnelly (Ellistown); Liam O Connor (Naas), Harry Redmond (Sarsfields) 0-2, Joey Cunningham (Allenwood) 0-5 (3 frees). Subs: Donnchadh Kinch (Castledermot) for Liam O'Connor (43 minuts); Ronan Kelly (Athy) for Evan Donnelly (48 minutes); Adam Fitzpatrick (Clane) for Jack McCabe (52 minutes); Paul O'Dea (Maynooth) for Senan Murphy (57 minutes); Alex Tilly (Maynooth) for James Donnelly (57 minutes).

LAOIS: Liam Conroy; Fionn O'Sullivan, Danny McGrath, Ben O.Connor; James Dunne 0-1, Niall Lawlor, Robbie Murphy; Calum Hogg, Eoin Johnson 0-2 (2 frees); Patrick Fitzpatrick, Ennae Byrne 0-3 (1 free), Darren Brennan 0-3:(1 free, 45); Tom O Connell, Jamilo Salvador, Fionn McEvoy. Subs: David Donohue for Jamilo Salvador (43 minutes); Evan English for Calum Hogg (48 minutes); Jack Brennan (0-1) for Fionn O'Sullivan (51 minutes); Dan Boland for Darren Brennan (55 minutes).

REFEREE: Kevin Williamson.