Two late goals give Dublin minors an unexpected one-point win in Leinster semi-final against Kildare
Leinster MFC semi-final: Dublin 2-10 Kildare 1-12
The Dublin minors snatched an unexpected win
Two Dublin goals inside the last three minutes salvaged an unlikely one-point victory in the semi-final of the Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship at Manguard Park in Newbridge.
A Ronan Kelly goal for Kildare on 38 minutes looked to have pushed the Lilywhites into an unassailable lead as they had a five-point advantage approaching the last three minutes.
Kildare led 0-6 to 0-5 at the break, but six first-half wides were to prove crucial. Four half-backs, two from each side, were on the scoreboard early as defences were on top. Donach Magee and Harry Donnelly swapped frees, but Luke Murray's late point gave Kildare the half-time advantage.
Three early Dublin points on the change of ends, from a Rian Doherty free and two from Senan Bolger, swung the advantage in the visitors' favour.
One Doherty free in a 20-minute spell meant Dublin played second fiddle to the home side throughout the third quarter. Kelly's goal and points from Kildare subs Austin Donegan and Dylan O'Dwyer (three) looked to have booked Kildare's place in the final.
Dublin weren't finished and the two late goals from Senan Bolger and Shane Devane left the home crowd shell-shocked. A late O'Dwyer free drifted wide of the post and extra time was avoided.
Dublin will meet Longford in the final.
Scorers – Dublin: S Bolger 1-2; S Devane 1-0; D Magee (f), R Doherty (2fs) 0-2 each; C Gavin, J Kennedy, R Ennis, H O'Neill 0-1 each. Kildare: D O'Dwyer (2fs), P Ryan 0-3 each; R Kelly 1-0; C McKevitt 0-2; L Kenny, L Murray, H Donnelly, A Donegan 0-1 each.
Dublin: F McDonnell; E O'Donovan, D O Sullivan, J O'Keeffe; J Kennedy, F McGinnis, R Ennis; C Gavin, K Costello; D McGill, D Magee, S Bolger; C Loughran, F Lydon, R Doherty. Subs: H O’Neill for F Lydon 38, F Costello for O’Donovan 41, C McCabe for Gavin 56, S Devane for Loughran 56.
Kildare: C McDonnell; R Beggan, 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 Donlan. Subs: A Donegan for Donnelly 37, D O’Dwyer for Boyle 46, S Gallagher for Beggan 50, M O’Toole for Donlan 59, O Dellier for Kelly 63.
Referee: James Foley Carlow
