Lilies book Christy Ring final spot after tough encounter in London

Kildare 2-20

London 3-14

Kildare had to withstand a late London rally to keep their unbeaten Christy Ring Cup run intact.

The overseas trip to Ruislip for Round 5 resulted in a three point win but more importantly it cemented their place in the final of the competition at the start of June.

The Lilywhites made the journey on the back of an unbeaten run that had yielded four earlier round wins but that winning run had its sternest test to date as the home side pushed Kildare all the way.

Two second half goals from Cian Boran and David Qualter laid the platform for the victory.

James Dolan replaced the injured Conan Boran from the start in the only Kildare change.

The opening exchanges were tight with both sides having chances before Daire Guerin got Kildare up and running before London's ace marksman Jack Goulding added the first of his 1-6 in the opening half.

Despite Rian Boran's slip prior to Goulding's opener he responded with a wonderful point from 60 metres. Jack Sheridan extended the lead to two with five minutes on the clock. Sheridan and Goulding swapped frees but Goulding was quick to level it at 0-4 a piece with a point from a free and play.

Jack Sheridan added his third this time converting a free after Muiris Curtin felt the brunt of another London head high tackle.

Cian Boran got on the end of a Cathal McCabe pass to open a two point advantage again. Kildare were in the ascendancy but couldn't extend their lead.

Kevin Reid reduced the gap against the run of play.Cathal McCabe was rewarded for some good work as he got on the end of Simon Leacy's pass and when James Dolan found Muiris Curtin with a crossfield pass the Moorefield man pushed Kildare into a two point lead for the third time.

Kildare created two goal chances through Jack Sheridan and David Qualter and while London keeper Tommy Wallace knew little of Sheridan's shot that came off his helmet he knew nothing about Qualter's effort as it came back off a post. Those let offs seemed to lift and they started to come more into the game as we passed the 22 minute.

Goulding converted a 65 after Daniel O Meara made a last gasp interception on the London full forward. London attacked again from the restart and when Eoghan McHugh found Goulding he shot low past Paddy McKenna. The comeback was complete as London, again through Goulding, edged the home side into the lead for the first time.

London should have gone further in front bit they hit five wides in a row as Kildare were second to every ball. They weathered the storm and started to move the ball at pace.

Jack Sheridan from a free and Daire Guerin, with his second brought the sides level as we entered the closing five minutes. Ronan Goulding got his first to push the exiles back in front but when Cian Boran,David Qualter and Jack Sheridan were all subjected to over the top London tackles Sheridan converted the three frees to leave Kildare 0-13 to 1-8 ahead at the break.

You would have imagined some stern words in the Kikdare dressing room at the break.They returned a different team and a Cian Boran pass to fellow Naas man Daire Guerin resulted in a crisp finish.

Kildare played their best hurling over the next 12 minutes. Two quick fire goals pushed them eight ahead after two brilliant ventures forward from Simon Leacy saw him firstly set up Cian Boran for Kildare's first green flag and his transfer to David Qualter saw the Maynooth force it home at the second attempt.

Mark Grace and Rian Boran had tightened things at the back and Kildare were looking comfortable. Leacy and Qualter hit points either side of a Sean Glynn white flag. Adam Cunney then created a goal chance for London but his effort came back off the post to keep Kildare's sizeable lead intact

The warning signs were there for Kikdare.London weren't going away and out of no where they got their second goal.Goulding getting a slick pass to Kevin Reid for the Kilkenny man to shoot home.

The closing ten minutes had everything. A second yellow for Jack Sheridan was harsh on the Kildare full forward as the officials failed to protect him from some rough treatment from corner back Padraig Muldoon.

Despite the numerical disadvantage Kikdare kept their noses in front. Paul Dolan, Cian Boran and Declan Flaherty all pointed to keep London at bay. Flaherty's point giving the insurance of a four point lead.

Owen Siel pointed on the run before a late Goulding free presented another goal chance from the 20 metre line. The Kerry man fired home his second goal and with time nearly up London were within touching distance of an unlikely draw.

Jack Goulding and Daire Guerin swapped points deep in injury time but time ran out for the home side much to the relief of the sizeable travelling Kildare contingent. Kildare had overcome a stern test to come out winners on a scoreline of 2-20 to 3-14.

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna, Daniel O Meara, Mark Grace, Harry Carroll, Paul Dolan 0-1, Rian Boran 0-1, Cian Shanahan, Simon Leacy 0-2,Cathal McCabe 0-1, James Dolan,David Qualter 1-1, Daire Guerin 0-3, Muiris 0-1 Curtin, Jack Sheridan 0-7 (5 frees), Cian Boran 1-2. Subs: Cormac Byrne for Daniel O Meara 53; Jack Higgins for Muiris Curtin 57; Declan Flaherty 0-1 for James Dolan 57; Mark Delaney for Daire Guerin 59; Frank Bass for Rian Boran 65.

LONDON: Tommy Wallace,Padraig Muldoon,Conor Byrne,Niall Geoghegan,Tom Mellerick,Sean O Meara, Cathal O Carroll,Adam Cunney, Robbie Murphy, Owen Dylan Dawson,,Sean Glynn 0-1,Kevin Reid 1-1,EoghanMcHugh,Jack Goulding 2-10 (6 frees,1'65),Ronan Crowley 0-1. Subs: Owen Shiel 0-1 for Ronan Crowley 43; Niall Broderick for Dylan Dawson 46; Paul Kennedy for Eoghan McHugh 59; Stephen Whelan for Robbie Murphy 59; Eoin McGrath for Sean Glynn 67.

Referee Kevin Parke Donegal