A last gasp point helps our Minor Footballers secure Leinster Final spot

DUBLIN 2-10

KILDARE 1-12

A Hugh O’Neill point in the second minute of injury time proved telling as Dublin pipped Kildare by the tightest of margins in their thrilling Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship semi-final at Manguard Park, Hawkfield on Tuesday evening.

In what was a repeat of last year’s provincial decider, Kildare played the more assured football in the first-half and could well have enjoyed a greater lead than 0-6 to 0-5 as they registered a number of poor wides.

The hosts looked well set for victory as they led by five points by the 57^th minute but two goals in quick succession from Shane Bolger and Shane Devane handed Dublin a lifeline and O’Neill was on hand to kick a sublime point late on to claim the precious victory.

It was the hosts that made the brighter start in terms of possession but they failed to translate that territory into scores as they kicked three wides in the first five minutes.

Dublin were struggling to find that fluidity that was so prominent in their quarter-final win over Wexford a week previously and they eventually fell behind in the 9^th minute following an excellent Liam Kenny point.

Kildare’s defensive structure denied Dublin any space to manoeuvre up front and the hosts doubled their lead in the 11^th minute thanks to a fine point from wing-back Paddy Ryan.

The visitors required a settling score at this stage and it duly arrived in an instant as late replacement Donach Magee manufactured sufficient space to curl over from thirty yards.

Magee soon had the teams on level terms when nonchalantly popping over a free from outside the ‘45’ line at the end of the first quarter and he turned provider in the 16^th minute when releasing Josh Kennedy for a fisted point to edge the Dubs ahead for the first time.

A brilliant solo score from Ryan Ennis doubled the away lead in the 19^th minute before goalkeeper Finn McDonnell denied Ronan Kelly with a superb sprawling save with Kildare gaining some consolation as Cian McKevitt popped over the rebound.

A Harry Donnelly free restored parity by the 23^rd minute and while Cian Gavin edged Dublin back in front a minute later, the hosts finished the half strongly through scores from Ryan and Luke Murray on their way to a narrow interval lead.

Dublin were in need of an encouraging start to the second-half and they were level in the 33^rd minute as Rían Doherty curled over a free from thirty metres.

Senan Bolger sparkled into life with two points from play in as many minutes to hand Dublin a marginal lead but the introduction of substitute Harry Donegan added momentum to the home challenge.

Donegan jinked his way through for a smart point in the 39^th minute and he was heavily involved as Kildare burst down the right, leaving Kelly the time to crash home to the roof of the net from eight yards.

Trailing by two points at the end of the third quarter, Dublin did manage to halve their deficit through another Doherty free but Kildare subsequently took control through three Dylan O’Dwyer points and a McKevitt score.

O’Neill’s pass was palmed home at the back post by Bolger to revive Dublin’s spirit in the 58^th minute and a defensive error was seized upon by Devane a minute later as Dublin suddenly found themselves with a lead to protect.

The influential Ryan looked to have salvaged extra-time for the Lilies but O’Neill was to have the final word with a cracking score off the outside of the boot, bringing a suitably dramatic conclusion to events and booking Dublin a final berth against Longford.

Scorers – Dublin: S Bolger 1-2, S Devane 1-0; R Doherty (2f), D Magee (1f) 0-2 each; J Kennedy, R Ennis, C Gavin, H O’Neill 0-1 apiece. Kildare: R Kelly 1-0; D O’Dwyer (2f), P Ryan 0-3 each; C McKevitt 0-2; L Kenny, H Donnelly (f), L Murray, H Donegan 0-1 apiece.

Dublin: F McDonnell; E O’Donovan, D O’Sullivan, J O’Keeffe; J Kennedy, F McGinnis, R Ennis; C Gavin, K Costello; D McGill, S Bolger, D Magee; C Loughran, F Lydon, R Doherty. Subs: H O’Neill for Lydon (40), F Costello for O’Donovan (42), C McCabe for Gavin (51), S Devane for Loughran (51)

Kildare: C McDonnell; R Beagan, L McDonald, C Cahill; P Ryan, F Dowling, L Kenny; E Boyle, R Lawlor; C McKevitt, R Kelly, B Caffrey; L Murray, H Donnelly, T Donlon. Subs: A Donegan for Donnelly (38), D O’Dwyer for Boyle (46).

Referee: James Foley (Carlow).