Mighty Kildare retain U20s Leinster crown with win over Dublin

Eirgrid Leinster U20 Football Final 2023

Kildare 0-16

Dublin 0-13

Back-to-back Leinster U20 titles and beating Dublin in both, a mighty achievement by Brian Flanagan's Lilies amid great scenes at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow on Tuesday evening last.

And while it took extra time before Kildare over the line it was, in the end, fully deserved as Kildare showed tremendous hunger, appetite and unwillingness to yield especially late on when it looked like Dublin might prevail.

But a magnificent point from Colm Dalton in time added on forced extra time, and from here the boys in white took over, edged their way clear and in the end had that three point margin to spare over their great rivals.

These sides have met a fair few times in the last couple of years with Kildare coming out on top which is a great shot-in-the-arm for all involved with Kildare football.

The opening half was a bit of a slow-burner the sides were level four times in the opening 18 minutes; Ryan Sinkey (3) and Colm Dalton raising white flags for The Lilies while Joe Quigley (2), Ross Keogh and Luke Ward finding the range for Dublin; and some of those points, from both sides were of top drawer variety.

Dublin edged two ahead before the break but with Kildare having the benefit of a stiffish breeze one felt they (Kildare) were in with a great chance at that stage.

Ross Kelly extended the lead on the restart before Shane Farrell landed Kildare's first free of the evening but Kelly stretched out to three again on 41 minutes.

Kildare then began to get a grip and a brilliant point from Callum Bolton and a lovely left-footer from Ryan Sinkey followed by another left footed effort from Oisin O'Sullivan had the sides level at 0-9 apiece on 44 minutes.

The fans of both sides were at their vocal best at this stage as the tension mounted and every ball being hotly contested.

Kildare took the lead for the first time since the second minute when Alan Fanning hit a cracker from close to the sideline.

Sensing they were in the driving seat Kildare came streaming forward but Dublin defended well, turned-over Kildare and were awarded a free within scoring distance and while James Harris was shown yellow, Dublin's Alex Gavin fouled off-the-ball, was booked, the ball was throw-in, Kildare won an came streaming forward again but two wides inside a minute saw the score line unchanged with Kildare still leading by one on 52 minutes.

Alan Fanning's effort dropped short and fell loose; Ryan Sinkey pulled first time only to be blocked by Dan O'Leary.

Dublin attacked down the middle and ended with Bill Costello firing over the leveler on 54 minutes.

Dublin missed two chances before Joe Quickly converted a free from his hands to edge his side in front by one.

Dublin had a chance to put two between them but Bill Costello had his kick brilliantly blocked by Ryan Burke, a vital moment in the game at that time as the tension was getting unbearable.

Into time added on and Kildare attacked down the left wing; Colm Dalton gained possession and showing nerves of steel, the Sallins man went for it and with a high shot coming down between the sticks the sides were level at 0-11 apiece as the final whistle arrived.

Off we went in the first period of time added on and it was the boys in white who put down the first marker, Alan Fanning was put in on goal but his screamer from close in flew just over the crossbar.

The ever reliable Joe Quigley had the sides level from a free on 65.

Back came Kildare and this time it was Sarsfields man Callum Bolton edged the boys in front on 68 minutes; Quigley missed the target from a free and before the half-time break arrived a long ball in from Colm Dalton was gathered by substitute

Darragh Swords, the Caragh man was fouled and up stepped Shane Farrell to put two between them, 0-14 to 0-12 as we went into half-time.

Kildare were now in the driving seat and on the resumption they got that vital first point in the second half of extra time.

Paul Dolan gained possession, was fouled. Kilcullen keeper, Cormac Barker was called forward to take the free on the 45m line.

His effort seemed to be drifting to t he left but then somehow hit the inside of the left hand post and went over.

Three clear now and the Kildare fans roared their support.

Dublin came back again and this time it was Ross Keogh who converted a free to reduce the gap back to two.

Players, from both sides, were falling like flies as cramp was hitting big time.

Jack McKenna broke up a dangerous looking attack and Kildare were on the attack again.

Conor Dalton gained possession, advanced, and then hit a lovely punched pass over the top to Oisin O'Sullivan and the Clane man soloed before splitting the posts to put three in it with time just up.

From the kick-out the long whistle finally arrived and amid brilliant scenes Kildare were crowned back-to-back Leinster champions, setting up an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with the winner of the Ulster final, Derry v Down.

That All-Ireland semi-final is penciled in for Saturday week against Down in Parnell Park.

Joint captains, Harry O'Neill and Shane Farrell, both of whom had big games, stepped forward to accept the cup while Naas man, Ryan Sinkey was awarded the TG4 Man of the Match Award.

Scorers:

Kildare: Ryan Sinkey 0-4, Colm Dalton 0-3, Shane Farrell 0-2 (2 frees), Calum Bolton 0-2, Adam Fanning 0-2, Oisin O'Sullivan 0-2, Cormac Barker 0-1 (free),

Dublin: Joe Quigley 0-5 (3 frees), Ross Keogh 0-4 (3 frees), Greg McEneaney 0-1, Seamus Smisth 0-1, Luke Ward 0-1, Bill Costello 0-1.

TEAMS:

Kildare: Cormac Barker (Kilcullen); Harry O'Neill, Jt Cpt (Clane), Tomas Von Engelbrechten (Johnst'

bridge), Ryan Burke (Caragh); James Harris (Castlemitchell), James McGrath (Athy), Jack McKevitt (Naas); Fionn Cooke (Raheens), Shane Farrell, Jt Cpt (Kilcock); Ryan Sinkey (Naas), Callum Bolton (Sarsfields), Colm Dalton (Sallins); Adam Fanning (Clane), Oisin O'Sullivan (Clane), Eoin Cully (Carbury). Subs: Sean Hanafin (Naas) for Eoin Cully (41 minutes); Darragh Swords (Caragh) for Fionn Cooke (53 minutes); Ethan Mountaine (Sarsfields) for Tomas Von Engelbrechten (60 m et); Niall Dolan (Raheens) for Ryan Sinkey (65m et); Fionn Ó Giolláin (Maynooth) for Ryan Burke (70m et); Daire Guerin (Naas) for James McGrath (74 minutes).

Dublin: Andrew Smyth; Finn Burton, Theo Clancy, Evan Nugent; Dan O'Leary, Seamus Smith, Alex Gavin; Ethan Dunne, Greg McEneaney; Conor Dolan, Luke Ward, Michael McDonald; Darragh Dempsey, Joe Quigley, Ross Keogh. Subs: Bill Costello for Darragh Dempsey (half-time); James Cotter for Seamus Smith (45 minutes); Tom Brennan for Michael McDonald (50 minutes); Dara McGrath for Dan O'Leary (61 minutes); Charlie McMorrow for James Cotter (60 minute, et); Michael McDonald for Bill Costello (64m et); Caelum Moriarty for Joe Quigley (70m et); Clyde Burke for Conor Dolan (77 minutes).

REFEREE: Alan Coyne, Westmeath.