Kirwan propels Kildare into home quarter-final spot

A superb seven-point haul from Daragh Kirwan was enough to propel Kildare into a home quarter-final of the Tailteann Cup, but they were pushed all the way by a Leitrim side who had closed the gap to two with 17 minutes left on the clock before the Lilywhites hit six in a row to emerge victorious.

The two unbeaten sides in Group 1 prior to throw in were battling for top spot and set about their respective tasks in a high tempo opening half.

Niall Kelly and Kirwan had Kildare two up inside seven minutes before Tom Prior got Leitrim off the mark.

Glen Ryan’s side were snappy in those opening minutes and despite having to be patient, Paddy Woodgate from a free and Kirwan extended the lead to three.

Prior was enjoying a lot of space out wide and he created the game’s opening goal chance for Jack Foley, but Mark Donnellan got down low to prevent a green flag.

Kirwan was causing a lot of problems with his direct running and a Kevin Feely free pushed his side four points clear.

Darragh Rooney (2) and Prior kicked points either side of a Paddy McDermott point for the Lilywhites, Kildare leading 1-08 to 0-05 at the break.

A six-man move resulted in Niall Kelly finishing for the game’s opening goal, with Woodgate pressing home their advantage to six points.

Leitrim outscored Kildare four points to one after the resumption. Cathal McHugh and Daragh Rooney left two between the sides with seventeen minutes left on the clock, but as bodies and minds tired, Leitrim could only add a single point through Ryan O Rourke.

Kildare showed more patience to hit six unanswered points, Kirwan with four, Woodgate (free) and Paddy McDermot as the Lilywhites ran out 1-16 to 0-12 winners.

Leitrim will await the draw on Sunday to learn their preliminary quarter-final opponents, while Kikdare have another week to wait to learn their quarter-final opposition.

In the group’s other game, Waterford enjoyed a 4-12 to 1-16 victory over Longford at Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

Stephen Curry plundered two goals for the Deise in the opening 35 minutes, with Daniel Mimnagh raising a green flag for the midlanders as the sides were level at the break, 2-05 to 1-08.

An Alan Dunwoody penalty gave Waterford further impetus, while Tholom Guiry’s injury-time goal sealed a deserved win.

Kildare: M Donnellan, M O Grady, S Ryan, R Burke, T Archbold, B Byrne, J Sargent 0-1, A Masterson, K Flynn, S Farrell, D Kirwan 0-7, P McDermott 0-2, P Woodgate 0-4 (4 fs), N Kelly 1-1, K Feely 0-1 (1f).

Subs: A Beirne for S Farrell H/T, K O Callaghan for K Flynn 45, B Kelly for N Kelly 48, R Houlihan for R Burke 51, S O Sullivan for A Masterson 65.

Leitrim: N O Donnell, C McHugh 0-1, M Diffley, A Flynn 0-1, D Wrynn, R Oberwan, T Prior 0-2, M Plunkett 0-3, B McNulty 0-1, J Foley, K Clancy, R O Rourke 0-1, B Guckian, D Rooney 0-3 (1f), J Rooney.

Subs: R O Rourke for K Clancy H/T, A Oberwan for J Rooney 45, S Quinn for R Oberwan 50, D Cox for B Guckian 58, C Reynolds for C McHugh 65.

Referee: N Mooney (Cavan)