Updated at 21.37

Kildare 1-11
Down 2-7

Dan Bannon reports from Parnell Park

EXTRA-TIME BECKONED but Kildare’s Jack McKevitt took no notice and became an instant hero after the half-back fired over the winner in the absorbing Eirgrid U20 semi-final’s last play to stun Down.

There was no time for a Down kick out, referee Thomas Murphy blew the whistle as the white flag was raised, cue Lillywhite pandemonium.

The Leinster champions trailed 1-3 to no score after 16 minutes on the clock and anything out of the game looked unlikely at that stage.

Odhrán Murdock had Down completely rampant and in control at that early. The midfielder had a hand in everything good the Mourne youngsters applied all evening. With a determined kick, he opened the scoring.

His catch that started the move for Jason Morgan’s first goal will live long in the memory of both sets of supporters as they drive their separate ways home.

Frees from goalkeeper Oisín Treacy and Oisín Savage looked to be the tally Down would defend and pick Kildare off with.

A nasty shoulder injury to Fionn Cooke would hold up the game just enough to settle Kildare and help them refocus.

Seán Hanafin came in and straight away had an impact with his side’s first score in the 25th minute.

That buoyed Kildare to finish the half strongly and reduce the Mourne men to one score, a Morgan mark that made it 1-4 to 0-4.

With only a goal between the sides, Down were the opposite, deflated.

Savage landed a free but before making way, Oisín O’Sullivan roofed the ball past Treacy to reduce the gap to one point. The momentum shift from Red and Black to White was telling.

Brian Flanagan’s side were relentless and took the lead in the 52nd minute but soaked up another haymaker from Morgan against the run of play.

Morgan’s second goal still couldn’t halt Kildare’s march as McKevitt kicked his side into their second successive final at this grade against Sligo next Saturday.

Scorers for Kildare: Shane Farrell 0-4 (2f) Oisín O’Sullivan 1-1, Eoin Cully 0-2, Niall Dolan (f), Adam Fanning, Seán Hanafin, and Jack McKevitt 0-1 each.

Scorers for Down: Jason Morgan 2-1 (1m), Oisín Savage (2f) and Oisín Treacy (1f. 1’45) 0-2 each, Tom McCarroll and Odhrán Murdock 0-1 each.

Down: Oisín Treacy (Bredagh);

Fiachra McAvoy (Saval), Patrick McCarthy (Burren), Finn Murdock (Rostrevor);

James Kelly (Burren), Thomas Hardy (Mayobridge) Cormac Greene (Ballymartin);

Odhran Murdock (Burren), Tom McCarroll (Carryduff);

Harry Magill (Burren), Jaime Doran (Ballyholland), Oran Cunningham (Downpatrick),

Oisín Savage (Loughinisland), Jason Morgan (Kilcoo), Callum Rodgers (Kilcoo).

Subs:
C Cunningham (Burren) for H Magill (36),
R Magill (Burren) for McEvoy (48),
N Toner (Burren) for Doran (58),
Senan Carr (Clonduff) for McCarroll (65)

Kildare: Cormac Barker (Kilcullen);

Harry O’Neill (Clane), Tomás Von Engelbrechten (Johnstownbridge), Ryan Burke (Caragh);

James Harris (Castlemitchell), James McGrath (Athy), Jack McKevitt (Naas);

Fionn Cooke (Raheens), Shane Farrell (Kilcock);

Ryan Sinkey (Naas), Callum Bolton (Sarsfields), Colm Dalton (Sallins);

Adam Fanning (Clane), Niall Dolan (Raheens), Oisín O’Sullivan (Clane).

Subs:
Seán Hanafin (Naas) for Cooke (20)
Ethan Mountaine (Sarsfields) for Harris (31)
Eoin Cully (Carbury) for O’Sullivan (36)
Killian Browne (Celbridge) for Sinkey (48).

Referee: T Murphy (Galway)