Relief and joy as Kildare come good in second half

Kildare 2-17

Westmeath 0-17

Two points separated Kildare and Westmeath in Saturday evening's Leinster SFC quarter-final at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, in front of an excellent attendance of 7,000.

It was a game that was in the melting pot for long periods.

A game that Westmeath looked the more accomplished for long periods, particularly in the opening half.

A game that Kildare came alive coming from behind, scoring a very healthy total of 1-9 in the second half.

A game that had a bit of everything in this the first Leinster Championsip in Newbridge for some three decades.

Most importantly of all it was a game that saw The Lilies march into the semi-final in two weeks when they take on Louth who defeated Laois on Sunday, also played at Cedral St Conleth's Park.

The opening half saw Westmeath dominate for long periods with Kildare under tremendous pressure from their own kick-outs as The Lakesiders crowded the middle and with Ray Connellan in top form and Luke Loughlin showing the magnificent forward he is.

The opening half was level on four occasions and it was the home side that got off to a brilliant start with Alex Beirne opening the scoring with a point, Danny McCartain levelling up, before Brian McLoughlin hit a brilliant two-pointer and centre-back David Hyland hitting a brilliant long-ranger to leave Kildare leading 0-5 to 0-1 with seven minutes on the clock.

Slowly Westmeath worked their way in the game with Luke Loughlin getting the first of his eleven point haul, Ray Connellan adding a third before Sam McCartan and another from Loughlin had the sides level at 0-5 apiece.

Kildare had three 'shorts' at this stage before Kevin Feely denied Ronan Wallace as the centre-back was looking for a goal.
Cian Burke make a brilliant save in a move that saw Harry O'Neill forced off after a heavy blow in that goalmouth scramble.
In came Ryan Burke and the Caragh man certainly did not let the side down.

Ryan Sinkey edged Kildare ahead before an excellent kick-pass by David Hyland found Darragh Kirwan, the Naas man firing between the sticks for his only score of the game.

Westmeath though had Kildare in all sorts of problems as the kick-outs were high and hanging with Westmeath picking up the vast majority of them, chiefly through Ray Connellan.

Four points on the trot from the visitors (Kevin O'Sullivan, Danny McCartan and two from Luke Loughlin, the first after the ball was as brought forward) and suddenly Westmeath led by two — 0-9 to 0-7 with 24 minutes on the clock.

Calum Bolton had a squeak of a goal but his effort lacked power, Loughlin left three in it, Brian Byrne cut out a dangerous Westmeath attack before Kildare got themselves right back in it on 29 minutes.

Worked hard
Ben McCormack, who worked tremendously hard throughout the game, fired in a long high ball; Alex Byrne made a brilliant catch before turning and burying the ball in the back of Conor McCormack's net.

The Kildare fans roared their approval as the sides were level for the third time.

From the kick-out immediately after the goal a poor kick-out saw Darragh Kirwan in on goal but the usual sharp finisher hit a poor effort and keeper McCormack got a block on it.

Ryan Burke made a brilliant interception before Robbie Forde edged the visitors ahead, Ryan Sinkey leveled up, the hooter followed, Westmeath retained possession, Danny McCartan eventually firing over to give his side the lead as the teams headed to the dressing rooms with the score board reading Westmeath 0-12 Kildare 1-8.

All things considered the boys in white were very fortunate to be only in arrears by one such was the dominance the boys in maroon had in the middle of the park.

A two-pointer at the start of the second saw Luke Loughlin stretch the lead to three.

Ben McCormack, with a lovely effort, reduced the lead, Brian Cooney replied and Ben McCormack, showing great composure cut it back to two again on 42 minutes.

Just before that Westmeath were hit with a major blow when midfielder, Ray Connellan, was forced off with a hamstring problem.

It was the decisive moment of the game.

Suddenly Kevin Feely found room to jump and catch. Kildare came storming forward, Darragh Kirwan made inroads but his goal attempt missed the target but fortunately referee Gough called the action back for a free and Alex Byrne had lead back to two points on 48 minutes.

High ball
Ben McCormack who was showing he really enjoys playing on the big stage and in front of a packed house, sent in a high ball and there to get a touch to guide the ball to the net was David Hyland, the experienced centre-back getting his first goal for his county and more importantly put Kildare in front 2-11 to 0-16 with 50 minutes on the clock.

The home crowd were roaring their approval at this stage and when Westmeath were caught a man short at the back Alex Beirne duly popped over the resultant 20m free to extend the lead to two.

Tommy Gill, who came in for Kevin Flynn on 32 minutes and certainly did very well on this his championship debut, held his nerve before firing over while Alex Beirne pushed potential two-pointer right and side.

Jamie Gonoud and Robbie Forde cut the lead back to a single point on 57 minutes but Kildare replied with an excellent effort from Alex Beirne.

Another blow to Westmeath when Nigel Harte was rightly shown a black card for a pull down on Darragh Kirwan and with less than ten minutes that was the end of the game for the wing-back; Alex Beirne converted the resultant free and when Callum Bolton, who certainly improved in the second half, added another point Kildare were four clear with nine minutes remaining.

That man, Luke Loughlin who was a bit quieter, but still effective, in the second half, then hit a monstrous long range free to cut the deficit back to two while Alex Beirne saw a point effort come off the upright.

A wrong call from the linesman on the stand side had the Kildare fans on their feet as Westmeath went looking for a goal.
Keeper Cian Burke made a brilliant save to deny Matthew Whittaker and while a Luke Loughlin late free reduced the gap back to two, the hooter sounded with Tommy Gill in possession, the Carbury man brining proceedings to an end as he ballooned the ball out of play.

A great win for Kildare, a much improved second half display and while there is still an awful lot of improvement needed if they are to advance to the final, this win should certainly give them a lot of confidence.

Two weeks time and a chance to book a place in the Leinster final and a win that would also ensure Kildare's participation in the All-Ireland series.

Louth, who defeated Kildare in the Leinster SFC semi-final last season by four points (0-17 to 0-13) will stand in the way once again.

Still all to play for.

Onwards and upwards!

MAIN MAN
David Hyland
A few in contention, Cian Burke's saves at vital times were crucial, Kevin Feely put in a great second half, Alex Beirne hit 1-5 while subs Ryan Burke and Tommy Gill all did well but it was centre-half back, David Hyland who was the Kildare stand-out player, he hit a brilliant two-pointer early on and then topped that off with an audacious flick to the net in the second half.

TURNING POINT
As usual goals with games and while both of Kildare goals were extremely well taken one the injury that forced off influential Westmeath midfielder Ray Connellan early in the second half certainly handed the initiative to the home side.

TALKING POINT
A great occasion, a mighty crowd, great tribute to Micko while long serving kit-man Tommy Murphy who has retired was duly honoured by various former Kildare managers.

WHAT NOW?
Leinster semi-final in two weeks time where they will meet Louth in O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

SCORERS

Kildare: Alex Beirne 1-5 (3 frees), David Hyland 1-2 (two-pointer), Ben McCormack 0-2, Brian McLoughin 0-2 (two-pointer); Ryan Sinkey 0-2, Darragh Kirwan 0-1, Callum Bolton 0-1, Niall Kelly 0-1, Tommy Gill 0-1.

Westmeath: Luke Loughlin 0-11 (two two-pointers, one free, 1 free), Danny McCartan 0-3, Robbie Forde 0-2, Brian Cooney 0-1, Ray Connellan 0-1, Kevin O'Sullivan 0-1, Jamie Gonoud 0-1, Sam McCartan 0-1.

TEAMS

Kildare: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Mark Dempsey, Brian Byrne; Kevin Flynn, David Hyland, James McGrath; Kevin Feely cpt, Callum Bolton; Colm Dalton, Alex Beirne, Ben McCormack; Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan, Brian McLoughlin. Subs: Ryan Burke for Harry O'Neill (14 minutes); Tommy Gill for Kevin Flynn (32 minutes); Niall Kelly for Brian McLoughlin (51 minutes); Cathal Hagney for Kevin Feely (TS 61-63 minutes); Mick O'Grady for Mark Dempsey (87 minutes).

Westmeath: Conor McCormack; Jamie Gonoud, David Giles, Conor Dillon; Nigel Harte, Ronan Wallace, Sam McCartan; Ray Connellan, Fionn O'Hara; Kevin O'Sullivan, Danny McCartan, Matthew Whittaker; Robbie Forde, Luke Loughlin, Brian Cooney. Subs: Brian Guerin for Matthew Whittaker (TS 28-32 minutes); Brian Guerin for Ray Connellan (38 minutes): Jonathan Lynam for Danny McCartan (51 minutes); Eoghan McCabe for Kevin O'Sullivan (55 minutes); Kieran Martin for Robbie Forde (64 minutes).

REFEREE: David Gough, Meath.

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