Kildare advance over Wicklow to reach Leinster semi-final

Kildare advanced to the Leinster SFC semi-final with this ten point over Wicklow at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow, this afternoon.

While it was a game Kildare never really looked like losing, nevertheless it was a far from convincing display, with Wicklow at one point in the second half cutting the lead back to just three points before Kildare found the net through Paddy Woodgate, effectively closing off the game.

Kildare led at the break by five points, 0-10 to 0-5 and were well worth their win having enjoyed most of the possession in that opening 35 minutes.

The sides were level three times in that period before The  Lilies made that superiority pay off as they gradually built up the lead and were somewhat unlucky not to find the net when a great run by Ben McCormack put Darragh Kirwan through but his goal attempt found the side-netting.

The second half was a real slow burner with just two points  in the opening 18 minutes of the half, one apiece.

Wicklow then hit three on the  trot to leave a single score separating them.

Kildare though picked  up their game with Kevin Flynn setting up Paddy Woodgate and the Raheens man made no mistake from close range.

Kildare added six points on the trot, Paul Cribbin hit three points off the bench, as The Lilies won on a final score line of Kildare 1-17 Wicklow 0-10.

Scorers: Kildare, Paddy Woodgate 1-2 (2 frees), Jack Robinson 0-3 (1 free), Paul Cribbin 0-3, Ben McCormack 0-2, Alex Beirne 0-2, Darragh Kirwan 0-2, Kevin Flynn 0-1, Darragh Malone 0-1, Neil Flynn 0-1.

Wicklow, Eoin Darcy 0-2 (2 frees), Mark Jacksoon 0-2 (2 frees), Kevin Quinn 0-2 (1 free), Dean Healy 0-1, Mark Kenny 0-1, John Paul Hurley 0-1, Jack Kirwan 0-1.

KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Eoin Doyle, Shea Ryan, Darragh Malone; David Hyland, Kevin Flynn, Jack Sargent; Arron Masterson, Kevin O'Callaghan; Barry Coffey, Ben McCormck, Alex Beirne; Jack Robinson, Darragh Kirawn, Paddy Woodgate. Subs: Paul Cribbin for Ben McCormack (48 minutes); Paddy McDermott for Barry Coffey (51 minutes); Daniel Flynn for Jack Robinson (51 minutes); Kevin Feely for Aaron Masterson (55 minutes); Neil Flynn for Paddy Woodgate (65 minutes);

WICKLOW: Mark Jackson; Eoin Murtagh, Paul McLoughlin, Malachy Stone; Fintan O'Shea, Patrick O'Keane, Zach Cullen; Dean Healy, Padraig O'Toole; Cillian McDonald, John Paul Hurley, Jack Kirwan; Mark Kenny, Kevin Quinn, Eoin Darcy. Subs: Darragh Fitzgerald for Mark Kenny (49 minutes); Gearód Muruphy for Eoion Darcy (58 minutes); Joe Prendergast for Cillian McDonald (65 minutes); Jacques McCall for Zach Cullen (70 minutes).

REFEREE: Martin McNally, Monaghan.