Kildare book return ticket to McGirr Cup final
Kildare's Calum Keaveny on the ball
Holders Kildare will defend their Paul McGirr Cup title in a decider against Meath after holding on in a thrilling second half against Armagh in Ashbourne on Saturday afternoon.
Armagh chose to play against a strong breeze in the opening half and although Kildare edged possession, a rocket of a goal from midfielder Keelan McEntee after only six minutes helped the Orchard County to turn around only two points behind (0-8 to 1-3) at the interval. They looked the likelier winners at that stage, particularly with Kildare only managing one two-pointer with the wind, from Charlie Doran.
Kildare started the second half in blistering fashion though and after points from Seán Gleeson and Hugh Martin, they struck for a goal from Nathan Dunne, the Naas forward keeping his head to slot low to the net at the second attempt after Calum Keaveny’s point effort was batted out to him by Armagh ‘keeper Pádraig Finn.
Further points from a Rory Thompson free and an Ollie Deller beauty from play saw the Lilywhites eight points clear (1-12 to 1-4) after just eight minutes of the half but gradually Armagh awoke and three two-pointers chipped away at the Kildare lead.
Corner forward Odhrán Reel accounted for two of those orange flags, the first from a free and the second a magnificent sky-scraping effort from the 45 metre line.
Although Keaveny and substitute Eoghan Lyons kept the scoreboard ticking over for Niall Cronin’s side, the third two-pointer from Tiarnan O’Neill and a follow-up point from Daithí Ó Callaghan put the Ulster side within two points (1-14 to 1-12) with four minutes remaining.
A dramatic finish ensued. Midfielder Aidan Maddock stretched the lead to three, but Ryan Dynes hit back straight away for Armagh. With Kildare under intense pressure it looked as if the Orchard County would at least force a draw in injury time.
But Reel was wide from a free, wing-back Conal Wilson did likewise from play and when a quick free allowed Shea Rafferty to set up Thomas Olarte for what seemed an inevitable goal, Kildare ‘keeper Jamie Wall spread himself superbly to make a point-blank, match-winning save.
There was still time for Reel to send another free wide of the target from close range, but Kildare were able to breathe a sigh of relief when referee Ian Howley sounded the long whistle with the Lilywhites deserved two point winners over a team who had beaten Dublin by fourteen points in the previous round.
Meath, beaten by a late rally by Kildare in the group stages in Leinster, will provide stern opposition in the All Ireland Tier 2 final, having put six goals past Donegal in the other semi-final.
Jamie Wall (Round Towers); Daniel Sargent (Eadestown), Senan Gallagher (St Laurence’s), Charlie Cullen (Ellistown); Charlie Doran (Clane) 0-2 (tp), Niall McAndrew (Naas), Mark Travers (Naas); Aidan Maddock (Clane) 0-1, Calum Keaveny (Athy) 0-2; Seán Gleeson (Round Towers) 0-1, Hugh Martin (Suncroft) 0-2, Ollie Deller (Round Towers) 0-1; Nathan Dunne (Naas) 1-0, Rory Thompson (Raheens) 0-3 (2fs), Pauric Carty (Rathangan) 0-2 (1 45). Subs: Eoghan Lyons (Clane) 0-1 for Thompson 46, Rian Curran (Raheens) for Deller 51, Cillian Long (Naas) for Carty 55.
Pádraig Finn; Thomas Fox, Gavin O’Rourke, Donncha Aherne; Brendan Ferreira, Cormac Murphy, Conal Wilson; Daithí O’Callaghan 0-2, Keelan McEntee 1-0; Thomas Olarte, Pádraic Toal, Ryan Dynes 0-1; Odhrán Reel 0-5 (1tp,1tpf,1f), Harry Fearon 0-1, Ronan Martin 0-2 (1f). Subs: Tiarnan O’Neill 0-2 (tp) for Ferreira 49, Shea Rafferty for Martin 49.
Ian Howley (Dublin)
