Kildare minors advance to All-Ireland semi-final with win over Kerry

Kildare defeated Kerry for the first time ever to book a place in the Electric Ireland MFC semi-final with a fully-deserved 4-12 to 2-13 at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, this afternoon.

Kildare had the ball in the back of the Kerry net after three minutes; a brilliant kick pass from Charlie Doran put Jack Reilly and the Kill man made no mistake.

Kerry replied with a point from Daragh Kane (free) while Charlie Doran replied with a fine effort.

A free from Keane for Kerry reduced the deficit but The Lilies hit back with points from Eoghan Lyons and a Jack Reilly free.

Now leading 1-3 to 0-2 with just nine gone, but Kerry were hit with a big blow when they lost midfielder Jack Collins with a shoulder injury.

Páidi Ryan stretched the Kildare lead, Kerry replied with a Luke Mac Gearalt point followed by brilliant effort from Danny Murphy to leave it 1-4 to 0-4.

Playing with the strong wind one felt Kildare needed more than a three point lead but they upped their game hitting three two-pointers from Jack Reilly, Eoghan Lyons and Greg Kelly to lead at the break 1-11 to 0-5.

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The second half was a bit of a slow-burner, Kerry did get the opening two points but it took all of 12 minutes.

Kildare finally opened their second half account mid-way through when a three-man move ended with Cian Keogh blasting to net to make it 2-11 to 0-7.

Kerry hit back with a goal from Cillian Moynihan but again The Lilies responded with Keogh on hand again to find the net.

Two two-pointers from Kerry were answered by Kildare, this time Calum Cowzer was on hand to palm to the net and while Kerry hit back with a late goal, it was Kildare who advanced to the semi final on a final score line of Kildare 4-12 to 2-13.

KILDARE: Joe Crotty (St Kevin's); Eoin Mackey (Kill), Ryan Crawford (Kilcock), Liam Mescal (Eadestown); Fionn Lawlor (St Laurence's), Jack Doran (Clane), Luke Shanahan (Sallins); Charlie Doran (Clane), Páidí Ryan (Round Towers);Logan Tennyson (St Kevin's) Aidan Tobin (Allenwood), Eoghan Lyons (Clane); Jack Reilly (Kill), Greg Kelly (Castledermot), Cian Kehoe (Castledermot). Subs: Jamie Flood for Aidan Tobin (40 minutes); Aodhan Bergin for Logan Tennyson (51 minutes); Fiachra Martin for Fionn Lawlor (58 minuts); Callum Cowzer for Jack Reilly (58 minutes); Gearoid Clare for Cian Keogh (58 minutes).

KERRY: Sean Sargent; Jan Ziober, Johdn Breen, Conor Clifford; Danny Murphy, Cian Stack, Mikey Corridon; Mike O'Se, Jack Collins; Luke McGearalit, Daragh Keane, Daithi Laide; Danny Lane, Dionn O'Dowd, Cillian O'Donogue. Subs: Mikey Somers for Jack Collins (15 minutes); Seanie Clifford for Daithi Laide (38 minutes); Cillian Moynihan for Fionn O'Dowd (38 minutes); Killian Fitzgerald for Cillian O

'Donoghue (48 minutes); Timmy Kennelly for Danny Lane (57 minutes).

REFEREE: James Regan, Cork.