KILDARE 1-14 LAOIS 2-6

KILDARE overturned a seven point first half deficit in Newbridge yesterday afternoon to complete a stunning second half comeback and continue a run that has seen them reach the Leinster MFC semi-finals every year since 2009.

Things looked bleak for the home side when goals from Ciaran Comerford and Niall Dunne in the space of 30 seconds midway through the first half helped Laois into a 2-3 to 0-5 lead at the break.

Kildare were like a different side in the second half though and a positional switch that saw Darragh Ryan move from wing back to wing forward for the second half paid dividends when he scored 1-1 within five minutes of the restart.

From there, Kildare took charge and with inspirational captain David Kelly leading the way from midfield, they ran out five point winners in the end.

The draw for the semi-finals will be held on Wednesday with the game due to take place in early July.

Scorers for Kildare: D Kelly 0-6f, D Ryan 1-2, D Kirwan(1f) and S O’Sullivan(1f) 0-2 each, D Foley and G Cunningham 0-1 each.

Scorers for Laois: C Comerford 1-1, N Dunne 1-0, M Barry 0-2, D Whelan(1f), J Owens and A Kinsella 0-1 each.

KILDARE: A O’Neill; D Reilly, M Barrett, L Loughnane; A Cronin, N O’Connor, D Ryan; J Carey, D Kelly; B McDonnell, N O’Sullivan, F Nevin; S O’Sullivan, J Cully, D Kirwan. SUBS: C Halpin for Carey, 19; D Foley for Halpin, 21 BC; E McGovern for Loughnane, h/t; P Tuohy for N O’Sullivan, 42; G Cunningham for Ryan, 45; J Travers for McDonnell, 54.

LAOIS: T McCann; M Dowling, S O’Flynn, D Comerford; K Horgan, S Lacey(M Barry 40mins), G Saunders; R Tyrell, D Whelan; A Kinsella(D McCaul 52mins), N Dunne(J Rogers 54mins), R Coffey(D Brophy BC 58mins); J Owens, C Comerford, R McEvoy. SUBS: M Barry for Lacey, 40; D McCaul for Kinsella, 52; J Rogers for Dunne, 54; D Brophy for Coffey, 54 BC.

REF: J Hickey (Carlow).