Kildare 1-14

Kerry 1-13

Ger McNally reports from Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

KILDARE SURVIVED A late Kerry onslaught to qualify for the first ever All-Ireland EirGrid U20 football final following a pulsating encounter at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

1-8 from the majestic Jimmy Hyland helped Kildare into a lead with less than four minutes remaining in normal time but the Jack O’Connor managed Kerry side finished with a flourish.

Substitute Michael Potts hit the Kildare net with his first touch in the 57th minute to spark an unanswered run of 1-3 and leave Kildare hanging on by their fingernails.

Despite the late drama, this was a deserved win for a Kildare side who were led from midfield by their captain Aaron Masteron.

Hyland’s fifth point moved Kildare into a 0-9 to 0-5 lead in the 24 minute but Kerry finished the half strongly and a couple of Fiachra Clifford points helped them cut the gap back to one by the break.

Paddy Woodgate and Donal O’Sullivan swapped points early in the second half but in a crucial period midway through the second half, Kildare scored an unanswered 1-3. Fittingly, it was Hyland who netted the goal after 47 minutes after Ruadhan O’Giollain intercepted a Stefan Okunbor free kick and fed him with a pass.

Kildare only scored one point in the final 13 minutes of normal time plus six added minutes but they held on to record a famous win.

Scorers for Kildare: J Hyland 1-8 (2fs), B McLoughlin 0-3 (2sf), P Woodgate 0-2, A Masterson 0-1

Scorers for Kerry: F Clifford 0-5fs, M Potts 1-0, D O’Sullivan 0-2fs, C Linnane 0-1, B Friel 0-1, B Sweeney 0-1, G O’Sullivan 0-1, M Ryan 0-1, S O’Leary 0-1.

Kildare

1. Aaron O’Neill (Carbury)

2. Mark Dempsey (Moorefield)
3. Mark Barrett (Ballymore Eustace)
4. DJ Earley (Monasterevan)

5. Stephen Comerford (Round Towers)
6. Jason Gibbons (Kilcock)
7. Ruadhán O’Giolláin (Maynooth)

8. Aaron Masterson (Moorefield)
9. David Marnell (Sarsfields)

10. Darragh Ryan (Sarsfields)
11. Padraig Nash (Monasterevan)
12. Tony Archbold (Celbridge)

13. Jimmy Hyland (Ballyteague)
14. Brian McLoughlin (Clane)
15. Paddy Woodgate (Raheens)

Subs:

Shane O’Sullivan for Marnell (ht)
Mark Glynn for O’Sullivan (35)
Jack Bambrick for Ryan (38)
Cian Costigan for Nash (44)
Sam Doran for Woodgate, (54)
Niall Murphy for Hyland, (60+2)

Kerry

1. Brian Lonergan (Ballymacelligott)

2. David Naughton (Dr Crokes)
3. Stefan Okunbar (Na Gaeil)
4. Micheál Reidy (Ballymacelligott)

5. Mike Breen (Beaufort)
6. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)
7. Daniel O’Brien (Glenflesk)

8. Mark Ryan (Rathmore)
9. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)

10. Fiachra Clifford (Laune Rangers)
11. Eddie Horan (Scartaglen)
12. Dara Moynihan (Spa)

13. Donal O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan)
14. Bryan Sweeney (Listowel Emmets)
15. David Shaw (Dr Crokes)

Subs:

Sean O’Leary for Naughton (37)
Brian Friel for Horan (49)
Cormac Linnane for Shaw (51)
Micheál Foley for Breen (53)
Michael Potts for Clifford (55)
Cian Gammell for Ryan (57)

Referee: James Molloy

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