Leinster MFC: Kildare take out Meath to book a final spot

Kildare are through to the Leinster Minor Football final following a one point win over Meath at Manguard Plus COE, Hawkfield, this evening.

It was a game that went down to the wire with just a single point separating them in the end.

Meath had the best of the opening quarter, points from Cian Common and John Harking giving them an early advantage.

Gradually Kildare came into the game around the middle; Joey Cunningham reduced the deficit with a free after four but Meath extended their lead when midfieldere Cian Commons got his second.

A long range free from Kildare keeper Cathal Moore was replied to by that man Cian Commons but Kildare, with lots of possession, saw Evan Boyle set up Donnchadh Kinch to leave one between the sides, 0-4 to 0-3, mid-way through.

Kildare had a goal chance a few minutes later but Darragh Mullahy saw his effort pushed out for a 45 by Meath keeper Braden Colfer, a 45, which Cathal Moore converted with ease to level the game at 0-4 apiece.

An Andrew Gormley free on 24 regained the lead for the visitors but Kildare hit back with an excellent long range effort from Evan Donnelly to tie it up at 0-5 each and that is the way they went to the dressing rooms at the break.

Kildare improved considerably on the resumption and opened a quick lead, with points from Evan Donnelly and  Harry Redmond.

Meath hit back to level, Pat Crawley and Cian Commons the scorers.

Kildare kicked  on again, Harry Redmond and Joe Cunningham, Cathal Moore and Cunningham opening a four point gap on 41 minutes and while The  Royals chipped away to reduce it to one, it is Kildare who march on to the final.

Kildare now play Dublin this day week, The Dubs having beaten Offaly earlier this evening by 6-15 to 1-8; time and venue to be announced.

Scorers: Kildare, Joey Cunningham 0-4 (2 frees), Cathal Moore 0-3 (2 frees, 45), Harry Redmond 0-2, Evan Donnelly 0-2, Donnchadh Kinch 0-1,Seanan Murphy 0-1,

Meath, Cian Commons 0-5, John Harkin 0-3 (1 free), Andrew Gormley 0-1 (free), Pat Crawley 0-1, Ben Corkery 0-1, Oliver Malonely 0-1.

KILDARE: Cathal Moore (Sarsfields); Liam Kelly (Milltown), Colm Moran (Athy), James Donnelly (St. Laurence's); Seanan Murphy (St. Laurence's), Rob Murray Jt Cpt (Naas), Michael Chambers (Maynooth); Evan Boyle (Carbury), Joey Cunningham Jt Cpt (Allenwood); Ruaidhri Lawlor (St. Laurence's), Harry Redmond (Sarsfields); Tadhg Donlan (Round Towers); Darragh Mullahy (Clane), Donnchadh Kinch (Ccastledermot), Evan Donnelly (Ellistown). Subs: Jack McCabe (Castlemitchell) for Darragh Mullahy (38 minutes); Liam O'Connor (Naas) for Donnchadh Kinch (50 minutes); Aodán Jordan (Confey) for James Donnelly (55 minutes); Paul O'Dea (Maynooth) for Seanan Murphy (59 minutes); Adam Fitzpatrick (Clane) for Tadhg Donlan (59 minutes).

MEATH: Braden Colfer; Cian Duggan, John Gormley, Oliver Maloney; Andrew Gormley, Thomas Sheridan, David Donnelly; Cian Commons, Micael McIvor; Eamon Armstrong, Oisin O'Neill, Pat Crawley; Cormac Liggan, Tom Lenehan, John Harkin. Subs: Naoise Maguire for Oisin O'Neill (half-time); Ben Corkery for Pat Crawley (40 minutes); Oisin Yore for Cian Duggan (47 minutes); Rory Crawley for Andrew Crawley (47 minutes); Liam Jennings for David Donnelly (62 minutes).

REFEREE: James Foley.