Louth minors miss out on place in Leinster final
Kildare 1-11 Louth 0-10
The Louth minors missed out on a place in the Leinster championship final, after a goal down the home straight from Kildare sent the Lillywhites through to the decider against Meath later this month.
It was Jack Doran who slapped the ball to the Louth net in the 53rd minute to give his side a crucial three point lead, after a blocked Cian Kehoe point attempt fell kindly into his path.
The goal arguably came against the run of play as Louth appeared to be the team with momentum behind them, having kicked three points on the bounce to draw level heading into that final 10 minutes.
Eamon McEneaney’s side seemed to be in the ascendancy, having dominated the Kildare kickout, winning 12 out of 22 in that department, with team captain Finn McEneaney once again leading from the front here, getting his hand to plenty of primary possession in this area. The St Josephs’ clubman finished with 26 possessions over the hour.
McEneaney was a strong support cast for players like Tadgh McDonnell and Pauric Maguire at midfield, and Brian O’Neill, Connell Kelly and Joe Lynch in the half forward line, who all saw a lot of ball here.
However, the Wee County were unable to make it count on the scoreboard, finishing with 0-10 from 28 shots over the hour, including 14 wides which proved to be their undoing.
Following Doran’s goal, Kildare held their nerve, with late points from subs Logan Tennyson and Fiachra Martin seeing them through to the Leinster minor decider.
Early on, it was Kildare who were ahead by 0-3 to no score in a low scoring opening quarter, through Eoghan Lyons, Páidi Ryan, and Jack Reilly (f).
At that stage, Louth had racked up 5 wides, including coming close to a goal when Cillian Duff fired narrowly passed the post.
Louth eventually opened their account through Donnacha Reidy off the left wing following decent work by Finn McEneaney and Connell Kelly in the build up.
Connell Kelly then converted a close range free to leave Louth trailing by 0-3 to 0-2 in a low scoring opening quarter.
After collecting a Kildare kickout, Greg Kelly set off on a mazy run before restoring Kildare’s two point lead with a fine score, before a two pointed free from Connell Kelly drew Louth level at 0-4 apiece after 27 minutes in a low scoring half.
Jack Reilly (f) edged Kildare back ahead, before an improvising kick pass from Rian McDonnell found Donnacha Reidy, who pointed again for the home side leave it at 0-5 apiece at the break.
As Louth continued to waste presentable scoring chances, Kildare were able to find the range thanks to Eoghan Lyons and Cian Kehoe.
Connell Kelly (45) and Aidan Tobin traded scores, before Tobin again on the loop after good work by Charlie Doran, left Kildare ahead by three with 42 minutes on the clock.
Louth did manage to restore parity after kicking three points in a row to level things up heading into that final 10 minutes.
Some fine passages of play involving players like Finn McEneaney, Mark Smith, Tadgh McDonnell, and Pauric Maguire, led to scores from the hardworking St Fechins pair, Cillian Duff (0-2) and Brian O’Neill to leave it at 0-9 apiece, and Louth looking well placed to push on for a Leinster final place.
But their continued wastefulness in front of the posts was punished down the home straight in the cruellest of fashions, as Kildare landed that key knockout blow thanks to Jack Doran’s goal.
Louth to their credit did respond through, Connell Kelly (f), but the Lillywhites held firm, producing some excellent late blocks to deny Louth goal attempts late on to, coupled with late scores from subs Logan Tennyson and Fiachra Martin to seal their place in the Leinster final.
Louth: Aaron O’Donoghue; Matthew Kieran, Calvin Winters, Ollie Walsh; Finn McEneaney, Mark Smith, Conor Marron; Pauric Maguire, Tadgh McDonnell; Brian O’Neill (0-1), Connell Kelly (0-5) (3f) (1 tpf), Joe Lynch; Donnacha Reidy (0-2), Cillian Duff (0-2), Rian McDonnell.
Subs: Anthony Traynor for O’Neill (55), Tadgh Rooney for Reidy (59).
Kildare: Joe Crotty; Eoin Markey, Ryan Crawford, Liam Mescal; Fionn Lawlor, Jack Doran (1-0), Liam Shanahan; Charlie Doran, Páidí Ryan (0-1); Jamie Flood, Aidan Tobin (0-2), Eoghan Lyons (0-2); Jack Reilly (0-2) (2f), Greg Kelly (0-1), Cian Kehoe (0-1).
Subs: Logan Tennyson (0-1) for Flood (49), Fiachara Martin (0-1) for Lawlor (53).
Referee: Alan Coyne (Co. Westmeath).