Kildare retain Leinster U20 after extra time

Kildare retained their Leinster U20 title after a dramatic three point win over Dublin, after extra time, at Netwatch Cullen Park, in Carlow this evening.

The sides were level four times in the opening half, Dublin played with the stiffish breeze and led by two at the break, with some excellent long range efforts finding the target, an indication of the strength of breeze. Ryan Sinkey (3) and Colm  Dalton (2) were the only two scorers in that half with the inside lads getting little room at that stage.

Dublin led by three points on 41 minutes before points from Callum Bolton and Ryan Sinkey reduced the deficit to a point and when Oisin Sinkey hit a lovely left footed effort the sides were level at 0-9 apiece on 44 minutes.

Kildare went ahead with a great point from Adam Fanning but Bill Costello had them level again on 53 minutes.

Joe Quigley converted a free to put Dublin ahead by one but with time running out a mighty effort from Colm Dalton leveled them up at 0-11 apiece and  that was the way it stayed, the game going into extra time.

Kildare led by two at half time of extra time and in a tension packed final ten minutes held on for a well-deserved victory by three points to retain the Leinster title.

Scorers: Kildare, Ryan Sinkey 0-4, Colm Dalton 0-3, Shane Farrell 0-2 (2 frees), Calum Bolton 0-2, Adam Fanning 0-2, Oisin O'Sullivan 0-2, Cormac Barker 0-1 (free),

Dublin, Joe Quigley 0-5 (3 frees), Ross Keogh 0-4 (3 frees), Greg McEneaney 0-1, Seamus Smisth 0-1, Luke Ward 0-1, Bill Costello 0-1,

KILDARE: Cormac Barker (Kilcullen); Harry O'Neill, Jt Cpt (Clane), Tomas Von Engelbrechten (Johnstownbridge), Ryan Burke (Caragh); James Harris (Castlemitchell), James McGrath (Athy), Jack McKevitt (Naas); Fionn Cooke (Raheens), Shane Farrell, Jt Cpt (Kilcock); Ryan Sinkey (Naas), Callum Bolton (Sarsfields), Colm Dalton (Sallins); Adam Fanning (Clane), Oisin O'Sullivan (Clane), Eoin Cully (Carbury). Subs: Sean Hanafin (Naas) for Eoin Cully (41 minutes); Darragh Swords (Caragh) for Fionn Cooke (53 minutes); Ethan Mountaine (Sarsfields) for Tomas Von Engelbrechten (60 m et); Niall Dolan (Raheens) for Ryan Sinkey (65m et); Fionn Ó Giolláin (Maynooth) for Ryan Burke (70m et); Daire Guerin (Naas) for James McGrath (74 minutes).

DUBLIN: AndrewSmyth; Finn Burton, Theo Clancy, Evan Nugent; Dan O'Leary, Seamus Smith, Alex Gavin; Etan Dunne, Greg McEneaney; Conor Dolan, Luke Ward, Michael McDonald; Darragh Dempsey, Joe Quigley, Ross Keogh. Subs: Bill Costello for Darragh Dempsey (half-time); James Cotter for Seamus Smith (45 minutes); Tom Brennan for Michael McDonald (50 minutes); Dara McGrath for Dan O'Leary (61 minutes); Charlie McMorrow for James Cotter (60 minute,et); Michael McDonald for Bill Costello (64m et); Caelum Moriarty for Joe Quigley (70m et); Clyde Burke for Conor Dolan (77 minutes).

REFEREE: Alan Coyne, Westmeath.