Kildare step it up to take out Westmeath

Kildare advanced to the semi-final of the Leinster SFC with a brilliant two point win over Westmeath in a rip-roaring game at Cedral St Conlet's Park, Newbrige, this evening.

It was a brilliant second half from the home team after going in at the break, somewhat fortunate trailing by just a single point.

The opening half saw the sides level four times but it was Westmeath who certainly had the most possession constantly putting Kildare under from their own kick-out.

Westmeath led 0-11 to 0-8 on 33 minutes but Kildare got right back into it when a long ball in by Ben McCarthy was brilliantly caught by Alex Beirne who turned and blasted to the net to level it at 1-8 to 0-11.

As the half-time hooter arrived Westmeath retained possession before Danny McCartan edged the visitors ahead at the break by a single point.

Westmeath were hit with a major blow when midfielder Ray Connellan was forced off after 37 minutes and from there on in The Lilies stepped up a very lack-lustre display around the middle with Kevin Feely making some tremendous fetches.

A long ball in by Ben McCormak saw David Hyland get a touch to the net to take the lead by one and it was a lead they never lost and while the visitors threw everything at it in the second half, Kildare were now dominant and points from Tommy Gill, Alex Beirne, Callum Bolton, Niall Kelly saw Kildare record an excellent win on a final score of Kildare 2-17 Westmeath 0-21.

Scorers: Kildare, Alex Beirne 1-5 (3 frees), David Hyland 1-2 (two-pointer), Ben McCormack 0-2, Brian McLoughin 0-2 (two-pointer); Ryan Sinkey 0-2, Darragh Kirwan 0-1, Callum Bolton 0-1, Niall Kelly 0-1, Tommy Gill 0-1.

Westmeath, Luke Loughin 0-11 (two two-pointers, one free, 1 free), Danny McCartan 0-3, Brian Cooney 0-2, Ray Connellan 0-1, Kevin O'Sullivan 0-1, Robbie Forde 0-1, Jamie Gonoud 0-1.

KILDARE: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Mark Dempsey, Brian Byrne; Kevin Flynn, David Hyuland, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, Callum Bolton; Colm Dalton, Alex Beirne, Ben McCormack; Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan, Brian McLoughlin. Subs: Ryan Burke for Harry O'Neill (14 minutes); Tommy Gill for Kevin Flynn (32 minutes); Niall Kelly for Brian McLoughlin (51 minutes); Cathal Hagney for Kevin Feely (61 minutes): Kevin Feely for Cathal Hagney (62 minutes); Mick O'Grady for Mark Dempsey (87 minutes).

WESTMEATH: Conor McCormack; Jamie Gonoud, David Giles, Conor Dillon; Nigel Harte, Ronan Wallace, Sam McCartan; Ray Connellan, Fionn O'Hara; Kevin O'Sullivan, Danny McCartan, Matthew Whittaker; Robbie Forde, Luke Loughlin, Brían Cooney. Subs: Brian Guerin for Matthew Whittaker (TS 28-32); Brian Guerin for Ray Connellan (38 minutes): Jonathan Lynam for Danny McCartan (51 minutes); Eoghan McCabe for Kevin O'Sullivan (55 minutes); Kieran Martin for Robbie Forde (64 minutes):

REFEREE: David Gough, Meath.