Maynooth squeeze into Kildare SHL decideer
Thrilling senior league semi-final
Maynooth are through to the final of the Kildare Westgrove Hotel Division 1 Senior Hurling League, and a meeting with Naas, after they enjoyed a one point win over near neighbours Leixlip on Thursday evening.
In a hugely entertaining game we were treated to 33 points from senior county players Darragh Melville (14), Tom Power (10), Jack Travers (6) and Dan O Meara (3).
Maynooth raced into an early four point lead, Tom Power, with two, Dan O Meara and Ciaran Dunne all on target before Darragh Melville recorded Leixlip's first,
Midfielder Eoghan Harrington landed a point from all of 60 metres to half the lead.
Although the home kept their noses in front in the opening and into quarter two Leixlip were back to within a point after Jack Travers landed his first.Leixlip hit the front 3 minutes before the break wirh Matthew Canning got on the end of Cathal Dervian's cente but it was shortlived as directly from the restart Ciaran Dunne pounced on Sean Bean's long clearance to edge Maynooth back in front.
Darragh Melville, from a free and Dan O’Meara traded points and despite Melville and Michael Hogan adding frees it was Maynooth who lead 1-14 to 1-12 at the break.
Two Melville white flags and one from Cilian Harrington in response to Eoin Kelleher's effort for Maynnoth meant the sides were back on level terms four minutes after the restart.The action was end to end on this glorious summer's evening.Four points from Melville and another from Jack Travers helped push the visitors into a three point lead with 20 to play.
A serious arm injury,although accendital, for Maynooth keeper Sean Bean saw the game halted for a number of minutes and it gave the home side a change to regroup.Luke Murnane and Jack Travers were on the board for their respective sides as the game continued at 100 miles an hour.
Two Tom Power frees either side of a Ciaran done effort drew the sides level for the third time in the second half.Leixlip,who have enjoyed a good league campaign, were determined to make the final and despite another Tom Power free two brillaint efforts from Jack Travers and a simple finish from Cathal Dervian had the men in Maroon back 2 in front with the finishing line in site.
Last years beaten county finalists,despite been short some regulars including Cathal McCabe,werent to be denied and four late points from Tom Power gave Maynooth a two point cushion deep in injury time.Darragh Melville's last gasp '65 was over the bar but too long to create a late goal chance for Leixlip and Eamon Kelly's final whistle saw Maynooth home by the narrowest of margins 1-28 to 1-27 and into the league final.It will be a repeat of last years county final and you wouldnt bet on that happening again this year.But for now there is a league title to be decided
Maynooth: Sean Bean,Joseph McNulty,Kevin Carroll,Kallum Gilligan,Luke Murnane 0-3,Cian Brody,Harry Dunne,Ronan Dunne,Daniel O Meara 0-3,Ciaran Dunne 1-3,Eoin Kelleher 0-3,Ciaran Gorman 0-2,Michael Hogan 0-3 (3f),Kevin Dunne 0-1,Tom Power 0-10 (5f). Subs: Cillian Madden for Sean Bean 40.Joseph Millett for Michael Hogan 44.
Leixlip: Keith O Callaghan,Damien Holden,Cillian Nicholson,Dylan Doherty 0-1,Conall Henson,Dara Mooney 0-1,James Canning,Cathal Dervian 0-1,Eoghan Harrington 0-1,Sean O Connor,Jack Travers 0-6,Matthew Canning 1-0,Cillian Harrington 0-2,Stephen Ryan 0-1,Darragh Melville 0-14 (7f,1'65). Subs: Sean Killeen for Dylan Doherty 38.
Referee Eamon Kelly