Kildare minor footballers get back on track
Hugh Martin celebrates scoring a goal for Kildare Photo: Michael Anderson
After a disappointing Leinster semi final defeat to eventual winners Offaly Kildare got back to winning ways when they had nine points to spare over Leitrim in the quarter final of the Paul McGirr Cup.
On a blustery and wet Sunday morning Kildare enjoyed a bright start and despite a spirited Leitrim response after the break the Lilywhites pushed clear in the closing stages for a comfortable victory.
Kildare took advantage of the elements in the opening half quickly pushing into a 1-9 to no score lead inside the opening 20 minutes. The Round Towers duo of Ollie Deller and Sean Gleeson had two up inside as many minutes.Hugh Martin, Nathan Dunne and a long range effort from Padraic Carthy kept the Kildare scoreboard ticking as Leitrim struggled to make any in roads on a solid Kildare rearguard.
Niall McAndrew got forward from full back to extent the lead six before Kildare struck for the games opening goal after 11 minutes. A sweeping move ended with team captain Mark Travers getting on the end of Carty's pass before firing low to the Leitrim net. Carty extended the lead to ten before Suncroft's Hugh Martin landed a superb two pointer to open a healthy 12 point lead.
Leitrim did eventually get on the board when Conor Reynolds got inside the Kildare defence and he was calm from a tight angle. A speculative shot from Senan McGowan looked to be heading to the net but corner back Jack Donohue made sure with a fisted effort. McGowan did add a second score right on the half time whistle but Kildare held a comfortable 1-12 to 1-2 lead.
Leitrim opened the second half brightly, Darragh Boyle backing himself from outside the arc to land a much needed two pointer. Daire McCabe quickly added another point before Senan McGowan was fortunate when his shot for a two pointer dropped short but it deceived Jamie Wall in the Kildare before it flew to the net. The gap was back to four and the noisy Leitrim supporters were in full voice. Martin and Senan McGowan, from a free swapped points to keep four between the sides.
When it looked like Leitrim were getting back into contention Kildare were quick to ad three scores. Rory Thompson added two frees before a quick move involving Ollie Deller, Niall McAndrew and Hugh Martin saw the latter place his shot low past Scott Kerr. Kerr had an impressive second half as he saved well from McAndrew, Carty and substitute Eoghan Lyons to help keep his side in the hunt.
Senan McGowan added two late 2 pointer frees but Kildare finished the stronger. Kildare cut open the Leitrim defence and a pin point pass from Niall McAndrew to Nathan Dunne saw the Naas man ad Kildare's third goal. The hard working Charlie Doran got his name on the board with a late point as Niall Cronin's charges ran out 3-16 to 2-10 winners.
Kildare are defending Paul McGirr Cup champions and now that they are back into a semi final again they will want to get back to the decider again. Donegal, Armagh and Meath were the other teams to progress to the last four.
Jamie Wall, Dan Sargent, Niall McAndrew 0-1, Senan Gallagher, Charlie Cullen, Aidan Maddock, Sean Gleeson 0-2,Calum Keaveny, Ollie Deller 0-2, Nathan Dunne 1-1, Hugh Martin 1-4 (1tp), Mark Travers 1-0, Pauric Carty 0-2, Rory Thompson 0-3 (2fs), Charlie Doran 0-1. Subs: Eoghan Lyons for Thompson, 46; Conor McBrien for Carty, 54; Rian Curran for Travers, 54; Aran Martin for Deller, 57; Max Rainbow for Keaveny, 60.
Scott Kerr, Jack Donohue 1-0, Ronan Connolly, Louis Quinn, Darragh Boyle 0-2 (1tp), Evan Gilligan, Karl Gethins, Thomas Gunn, Gearoid Curley, Conor Reynolds 0-1, Senan McGowan 1-6(2tpf, 2fs), Frankie McManus, Sean Gaffney, Daire McCabe 0-1,Mark Nolan. Subs: Cillian McWeeney for Gethins, 39; Jack Prior for Gunn, 42; Ross O'Shea for Boyle, 48; Michael O'Grady for Reynolds, 48; Jack Moolick for Curley, 56.
Ian Howley (Dublin)
