KILDARE’S HOPES OF lifting a third Leinster title in succession remains on track as they survived a big scare in today’s quarter-final against Laois.
The Lilywhites trailed by seven points at one stage in the first-half but recovered to beat Laois by 1-14 to 2-6 in Newbridge.
Goals from Ciaran Comerford and Niall Dunne left Laois 2-3 to 0-5 ahead at the interval.
Gay Campbell’s men fought back after the break and Laois went 31 minutes without a score. Darragh Ryan bagged a goal for Kildare and a flurry of scores sealed the win.
In the other last eight clash, Louth saw off Offaly by 0-15 to 1-11.
Cian Johnson bagged a goal for the Faithful inside 42 seconds, and Offaly raced into a 1-6 to 0-3 lead after 16 minutes.
Louth recovered to trail by four at half-time. In the second period John Gallagher, Ciaran Keenan and Conor Morgan kicked important scores as they fought back into contention.
Offaly’s goalkeeper Jack McEvoy levelled the game with a point from play in the 57th minute, but a stoppage-time free from Gallagher sealed the win.
I thought he done very well last night. He actually scored his first Ireland goal Vs Celtic in Scott Brown’s testimonial and the way Mick spoke about him last night he could well be promoted.
Cullen got man of the match but I thought Browne was the real MVP. His control of the ball, slowing down the game and giving himself time for an option to open up was another level to the rest of the team.
Don’t get me wrong, a few players impressed me last night, with Byrne, Long, Collins and Cullen getting all the credit but Browne deserves some too.
Would love to see him get a move out of Preston.
@Baz Harkin: Only matter of time before premier league clubs start taking an interest, top midfielder.Should be in ahead of Hourihan and Hendrick. Always seems to do the simple things right and be in the right place, just like a fellow Cork midfielder did a few years ago, but we better not talk about him for a while though!
@Baz Harkin: As a lover of PNE..I WOULD NOT!!!
Browne would walk into most midfield in the bottom half of the Premier league. So many foreign managers these days though bringing in speed demons from Africa/Germany/Brazil/France etc that it’s getting harder and harder to get the big break.
@Stanley Baggins: hence why Irish footballers need to start looking further afield and taking opportunities on the continent. Even English footballers are starting to do that more and more.
Browne should have more caps than he has. I know he’s been unlucky with injuries but his form was largely ignored by O Neill. Hopefully he gets back into the Preston team and pushes for a place with the national side. We’re not blessed with guys who can score from midfield and he certainly can if he’s played in the right position.