Kerry goals the difference as Kildare go out of Minor Championship

Kildare minor footballers made their exit from this year's All-Ireland series following a five point defeat at the hands of Munster champions Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final, on a score line of Kerry 2-13 Kildare 1-11.

The Munster boys were firm favourites to advance in this one and while they never really looked like they were in trouble, they certainly had to work hard right to the end.

The sides were level four times in a rather mundane opening half and while Kerry had more of the possession they failed to put that supremacy on to the score board in any real meaningful way.

Leading 0-4 to 0-2 after 21 minutes, Kerry were rocked when Harry Redmond gained possession inside the Kerry 45, he by-passed two defenders as the space opened up, the Sarsfields man carried the ball before planting it in the bottom right hand corner of James Hoare net to give The Lilies the lead 1-2 to 0-4.

The sides were level twice more before the break before a turn-over followed by a late tackle saw The Kingdom keeper James Hoare step forward and send over the resultant free to leave the half-time score Kerry 0-7 Kildare 1-3.

Points from Paul O'Dea and the excellent Joey Cunningham saw the sides level again but Kerry kicked on with a point from man-of-the-match Paddy Lane before the same player saw an effort from the right dip at the last minute and end up in the top left hand corner of the Kildare net.

Kerry kicked on immediately and within minutes had the lead out to five.

Joey Cunninghan kept The Lilies in touch with three points on the trot before Kerry midfielder Evan Boyle, soloed through the heart of the Kildare defence, getting the rub of the green from the match official as he seemed to over-carry, before planting the ball in the back of the net to make it 2-13 to 1-9 to evvectively kill off the game.

A fine effort from Kildare but no doubting the best team on the day move on to the All-Ireland semi-final

Final score: Kerry 2-13 Kildare 1-11.

Scorers: Kerry, Paddy Lane 1-7 (3 frees), Evan Boyle 1-0, Dara Hogan 0-2 (1 free), James Hoare 0-2 (2 frees), Paudie Fitzgerald 0-1, Tomás Kennedy 0-1,

Kildare, Joey Cunningham 0-8 (4 frees), Harry Redmond 1-0, Cathal Mooe 0-1 (free), Jack McCabe 0-1 (free), Paul O'Dea 0-1.

KERRY: James Hoare; David Mulvihill, Ben Murphy, Isaac Brosnan; Padraig Moynihan, Keelan O'Shea, Geaóid Evans; Evan Boyle, Daniel Kirby; Paudie Fitzgerald, Tomás Kennedy, Seán Ó Cúinn; Dara Hogan, Oisín Healy, Paddy Lane. Subs: Darraghd O'Keeffe for Oisín Healy (44 minutes); Ruairí O'Connell for Paudie Fitzgerald (47 minutes); Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich for Pa Walsh (57 minutes).

KILDARE: Cathal Moore (Sarsfields); Liam Kelly (Milltown), Colm Moran (Athy), Ruaidhri Lawlor (St. Laurence's); Alex Tilly (Maynooth), James Donnelly (St. Laurence's), Liam O'Connor (Naas); Paul O'Dea (Maynooth), Rob Murray Jt Cpt (Naas); Seanan Murphy (St Lauarence's), Tadhg Donlan (Round Towers), Joey Cunningham Jt Cpt (Allenwood); Harry Redmond (Sarsfields), Evan Boyle (Carbury), Evan Donnelly (Ellistown). Subs: Jack McCabe (Castlemitchell) for Liam O'Connor (44 minutes); Donnachad Kinch (Castledermot) for Evan Donnelly (45 minutes); Michael Chambers (Maynooth) for Liam Kelly (50 minutes); Cian Keaveny (Athy) for Tadhg Donlan (50 minutes); Daniel Colbert (Clane) for Seanan Murphy (55 minutes).

REFEREE: Chris Maguire, Clanre.