Minors edged by kildare in thrilling quarterfinal

Kildare 2-14
Cavan 2-12

Paul Fitzpatrick
at Páirc Tailteann

The dream is over for the Cavan minors after they paid the price for a sluggish start against Leinster champions Kildare in the All-Ireland quarter-final at Páirc Tailteann, Navan.

Cavan trailed by nine at one stage but came roaring back with a brilliant second-half performance in what was an exceptional game of football, played at a high intensity and featuring some brilliant scores.

The Lilywhites were physically stronger and raced into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead, which they later extended to 1-8 to 0-1, with the excellent Thomas Edward Donohoe on the mark for Cavan, who had spurned a good goal chance through Ryan O'Neill.

Cavan, though, replied with a super goal from Donohoe, created by Darragh Kennedy, and when James Brady rose highest to palm home moments later, they were back in the game.

But Kildare steadied the ship with Ciaran Kelly on target again as they went in 2-2 to 1-11 in front.

The second half was exhilirating, both sides pouring forward. Kildare started with a point but Cavan soon had them on the back foot, Donohoe firing over two great points and sub Darragh Gannon two more, with Ciaran Kelly on the mark for the Lillies.

A free from Robbie Fitzpatrick and a point from wing-back Dillon Raythorne brought the Breffni boys back to within three but Kildare rattled the net again through Jimmy Hyland.

In a helter skelter final quarter, Gannon and Ciaran Kelly exchanged scores before David Brady landed a free and a 45 to drag Cavan closer.

They had one final chance when the same player fielded brilliantly in the square but Kildare held on to edge a brilliant game. Cavan had lost Conor Brady to a second black card 10 minutes from time.

Full report in this Wednesday's paper.

 

Scorers for Kildare:
Ciaran Kelly (1-7, 5f), Jimmy Hyland (1-4, 1f), Rory Feely (0-1), Matthew Kelly (0-1), Ethan O'Donohue (0-1)

Scorers for Cavan:
Thomas Edward Donohoe (1-2), David Brady (0-3, 1f, 1 45), James Brady (1-0), Robbie Fitzpatrick (0-3, 2f), Darragh Gannon (0-2), Dillon Raythorne (0-2)