Kildare U20s book a semi-final place

Kildare qualified for the semi-final of the Delata Hotel Group Leinster U20 Football Championship following a five point win over Offaly at Manguard Park, Hawkfield, this evening.

Kildare  after playing with the aid of a stiffish breeze in the opening half, Kildare led 0-13 to 1-4 for Offaly. The home side scored no less than 5 two-pointers in that half (2 frees) and looked well in control. However in the final few minutes of the half, Offaly hit back with an excellent goal from Dylan Dunne and when keeper, Jack Ryan converted a brilliant free against the strong breeze it left the half-time score reading Kildare 0-13 Offaly 1-4.

On the resumption the visitors got themselves right back into through the accurate boot of keeper Jack Ryan cut the lead back to three. However a goal from Colm Moran on 44 minutes eased the pressure on Niall Cronin's side and while Jack Ryan hit another 2 two-pointer frees, his fourth of the second half (Offaly's only second half scores) as Kildare advance to the last four on a final score line of Kildare 1-17 Offaly 1-12.

Scorers: Kildare, Ronan Kelly 0-4 (2 two-pointer frees), Euan Cowzer 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Colm Moran 0-2 (two-pointer), Ruaidhrí Lawlor 0-2 (two-pointer), TJ Nolan 0-1, Harry Redmond 0-1.

Offaly, Dylan Dunne 1-0, Kaelem Bryan 0-2 (1 free), Jake Maher 0-1, Jack Ryan 0-1 (free),

KILDARE: Charlie Carroll; Cian McKevitt, Liam Kelly, Rob Murray; Harry Redmond, Finn Dowling, Ben Ryan; Evan Boyle, TJ Nolan; Daniel Colbert, Colm Moran cpt., Ruaidhrí Lawlor; Cian Keaveney, Euan Cowzer, Ronan Kelly. Subs: Hugh Martin for Ruaidhrí Lawlor (44 minutes); Luke Murray for Cian Keavney (44 minutes); Calum Keavney for Euan Cowzer (54 minutes); Austin Donegan for Harry Redmond (60 minutes).

OFFALY: Jack Ryan; Tomas Carroll, Jack Maher, Patrick Kenna; Jake Maher, Christian McKeown, Harry Goulding; Charlie Duffty, Eoin Dunne; Brian Carroll, Dylan Dunne, Eoin Rouse; Conor Bracken, Cian McNamee, Kalem Bryan. Subs: Colm Egan for Eoin Dunne (44 minutes); Ruarí Woods for Conor Bracken (44 minutes); Cillian Foran for Charlie Duffy (52 minutes);

REFEREE: Seamus Farrelly, Dublin.

Kildare 

Delata Hotel Group Leinster U20 Football Championship Rd 2