KILDARE MINORS COME FROM BEHIND TO SEE OFF KERRY CHALLENGE AND BOOK KNOCKOUT CLASH AGAINST WESTMEATH

Kildare had to come from behind before picking up win number three on their way to the knockout stages of the Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship.

In an excellent game of hurling throughout, Kildare's 59th-minute goal from Tom Power was enough to see them through on a 2-15 to 1-15 scoreline. A meeting with Westmeath awaits.

Kildare shot into an early five-point lead courtesy of points from Tom Power with two, John Dee, Paddy Kennedy and Tom Boran. Kerry settled and responded in style. Evan O'Sullivan with two and the accurate Ivan Conway getting them level before the 18th minute. O'Sullivan added two more as Kerry took the lead for the first time.

The sides swapped six points before the ɓeak, Tom Power and Oran Byrne with two before Evan O Sullivan again with two and Eoin O Flaherty left the Kingdom 0-10 to 0-8 ahead at the interval.

John Curtin and O'Sullivan pointed either side of a Tom Power effort. The introduction of Fionn Frisby was the bit of inspiration Kildare needed and he levelled matters with a 40th-minute goal. Points from Power and Boran had Kildare back in front before Ivan Conway struck for a Kerry goal.

As the game entered the closing five minutes, Kildare lost John Dee to a straight red for an off-the-ball incident, but they responded to hit four scores in a row.

Power again accurate from a free, and when Tom Boran was fouled for a penalty, Power needed a second chance, after a fine save, to edge Kildare in front. Conor O'Brien and Michael Owens rounded off a great win.

Scorers – Kildare: T Power 1-6 (5 frees); O Byrne 0-3 (1'65); F Frisby 1-0; T Boran 0-2; P Kennedy, J Dee, M Owens, C O'Brien 0-1 each. Kerry: E O Sullivan 0-9 (8 frees); Ivan Conway 1-3; E O Flaherty, J Curtin, J Rochford 0-1 each.

Kildare: C Madden, D Devine, C Knox, J McNulty, C Gordon (C O'Brien 41), C Dunne, O O'Neill, O Byrne, J Dee, M Owens, P Kennedy (G Kenny 55), S McLoughlin (R O Malley 41), C McGrath (F Frisby 30), T Boran, T Power.

Kerry: C Harris, R Hurley (B Leen 53), A O Mahony, C Hurley, E O'Flaherty, L O'Sullivan, O Heaton, R O'Halloran, J Segal, E O'Sullivan, J Rochford (D Maloney 57), I Conway, E Costello (W Somers 45), J Curtin (A Relihan 39), D Costello.

Referee: Liam D Keenan

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2024-04-28T00:51:45Z dg43tfdfdgfd