FULL REPORT: McKevitt stunner wins it for Kildare as U20s reach another All-Ireland final

EirGrid U20 GAA U20 All-Ireland Football semi-final

Kildare 1-11

Down 2-7

Kildare are into another U20 All-Ireland final following an incredible and dramatic victory over Down. All looked set for extra-time as Kildare held possession until nearly the fourth additional minute.

They were looking for an angle to shoot but the anticipating crowd and no doubt the sideline were extremely aware of the man in the middle wearing blue that was checking his watch every couple of seconds.

It seemed like an eternity as the ball was shifted back and forth but it found its way to Naas man Jack McKevitt. The wing-back received possession, took a stride clear of the nearest red shirt and took aim at goal.

Everyone seated in the Parnell Park stands knew its destination instantly, as his superb effort off his weaker left side sailed over the bar for one of the best game-winning Kildare scores of all-time. This kind of calm and bottle was present throughout this Kildare performance.

After taking a two-point lead for the first time in this game through a freakishly good Niall Dolan free-kick, Kildare conceded a goal down the other end on the counter. The next phase of play would be similar to McKevitt's winner as Kildare looked to work an angle. It would be Adam Fanning who stepped up, having not had his finest game and not scored on the day, he stuck over an excellent point to bring it back to all square.

Kildare were coolness and calmness personified at so many different points during this chaotic game. After 15 minutes of play, Kildare trailed 1-3 to no score. They had hit more wides than Down had taken shots.

Kildare were getting the Ulster football treatment as they failed to break down the superbly organised Down defensive unit.
Down to their credit were also ruthless on the break and were well worth their lead based on finishing ability.

Their goal came after just seven minutes as another one of goalkeeper Ethan Carden's excellent kick-outs found a man in red in the middle.

Down were dropping a member of their full-forward line back late on every restart creating an overload for their side.
This happened again for the goal as the ball was worked forward and Kildare were drawn out.

Full-forward Jason Morgan was found with a simple ball over the top. Morgan, who got both Down's goals on the day finished ruthlessly on both occasions.

Seán Hanafin would replace the injured Fionn Cooke after 20 minutes who was down for quite some time.
Hanafin's towering presence would be felt immediately as he burst through that defensive set up to knock over Kildare's first point of the day after 24 minutes. The second would not be too far behind as Kildare began to lift the pace of their play.

Down remained defensively sound but there was little they could do as Shane Farrell took aim from long range and sent over a booming score to lift the crowd. The mood had changed in the stands, as this Kildare team began to show what they were about.

It would be another point from midfield as Shane Farrell slotted over a free-kick this time to reduce the gap.
After one more at either end, Down would hold a 1-4 to 0-4 lead heading into half-time.

Kildare would get their goal just four minutes after the restart. Adam Fanning took aim from long range with a skyward effort that was both wide and short.

The stray shot was plucked from obscurity by Oisin O'Sullivan who gathered possession from the air and roofed the ball into the net. O'Sullivan would exit the pitch with an injury for his efforts but his contribution of 1-1 of Kildare's 1-4 to that point was crucial.

The sides would trade scores until frees from Niall Dolan and Shane Farrell gave Kildare their short-lived two-point lead.
Jason Morgan's second goal of the game in similar fashion would set up the grandstand finish.

There were two more equalisers that were needed from Adam Fanning and Eoin Cully to set the stage for Jack McKevitt's winning moment.

A member of the back six getting the winning score was a perfect summation of this Kildare performance.
The defensive unit rarely get the credit they deserve and while one got the crucial score, there were titanic performances across the back line to win this game for Kildare.

SCORERS

Kildare: Oisin O'Sullivan 1-1, Shane Farrell 0-4 (0-2 frees), Eoin Cully 0-2, Seán Hanafin 0-1, Niall Dolan 0-1 (0-1 frees), Adam Fanning 0-1, Jack McKevitt 0-1.

Down: Jason Morgan 2-1 (0-1 Mark), Oisín Savage 0-2 (0-2 frees), Oisín Treacy 0-2 (0-1 frees 0-1 45'), Odhran Murdock 0-1, Tom McCarroll 0-1.

TEAMS

Kildare: Cormac Barker; Harry O'Neill, Tomas von Engelbrechten, Ryan Burke; James Harris, James McGrath, Jack McKevitt; Fionn Cooke, Shane Farrell; Ryan Sinkey, Callum Bolton, Colm Dalton; Adam Fanning, Niall Dolan, Oisin O'Sullivan. Subs: Seán Hanafin for Fionn Cooke (20 minutes), Ethan Mountaine for James Harris (30 minutes), Eoin Cully for Oisin O'Sullivan (35 minutes), Killian Browne on for Ryan Sinkey (47 minutes).

Down: Oisín Treacy; Fiachra McEvoy, Patrick McCarthy, Finn Murdock; Thomas Hardy, Jamie Doran, James Kelly; Odhran Murdock, Tom McCarroll; Cormac Greene, Oran Cunningham, Harry Magill; Oisín Savage, James Morgan, Callum Rogers. Subs: Cian Cunningham for Harry Magill (35 minutes), Ryan Magill on for Fiachra McEvoy (47 minutes), Niall Toner on for Jamie Doran (58 minutes).

Referee: Thomas Murphy, Galway

GAME AT A GLANCE

HIGHLIGHT
The winning score is the only answer. Referee Thomas Murphy repeatedly checked his watch as added time ticked away. Shouts from fans and no doubt the Kildare sideline was to get a shot away, but they were taking their time. This Kildare team is not short of characters so I doubt they were unwilling but it would McKevitt who would shoulder the responsibility. Off his weaker left side he won it with an exceptional score. A moment for the ages.

LOWLIGHT
With eight minutes to go, Kildare full-forward Niall Dolan knocked over a stunning free to give his side their first lead of that size on the day. Immediately after the score, Down would bag a goal on the counter-attack through Jason Morgan. It could have knocked the wind out of Kildare but it barely phased them.

TURNING POINT
After an opening 15 minutes of passive play and several wides, Kildare trailed 1-3 to no score. An enforced break in play because of an injury allowed Brian Flanagan and his team get messages onto the field about what to adjust and change. Kildare would trail by just three going in at the break after the re-group and we know what happened after that.

MAIN MAN
Jack McKevitt gave an incredible performance leading up to his match winning score. Therefore it would be blasphemous to look elsewhere for a main man title. McKevitt was tireless, classy and sent over one of the best scores you will ever see off his weak foot to win an All-Ireland semi-final. The young man is a star in the making and speaking to him directly after the game he was delighted with the result of course but already focused on the final.

REF WATCH
Referee Thomas Murphy let some things go in this game that both sides could perhaps feel they could have earned a free-kick from. But it went both ways. Overall, he managed the game well and it let it flow where possible. A potential Down red card would be the only grievance Kildare fans may have.