Second half goals vital as Kildare minors defeat Cavan

Kildare became the first holders of the Paul McGirr Cup in the Electric Ireland Minor All-Irealnd Championship (Tier 2) final with a fully-deserved five point win over Cavan at Pairc Tailteen, Navan.

It was two goals in the second half that clinched victory for the Niall Cronin managed side.

The goals from Harry Donnelly and Ronan Kelly were the decisives scores of the game.

The opening half was a tight affair, however on 21 minutes Cavan made the break-through when Odhran Madden cut inside, found Nathan Quigley who turned his man before firing low to the net.

The Kildare response was instant and gaining control around the middle they fired over three points from Dylan O'Dwyer and two excellent long range efforts from Austin Donegan to level at the break Kildare 0-7 Kildare 1-4.

The sides were level at 0-10 to 1-7 when Donnelly struck for Kildare's first goal, receiving the ball from Liam McDonald.

That put The Lilies into the lead by two, it was a lead they never relinquished although Cavan fought to the bitter end but that second goal for Kildare from Ronan Kelly on 58 minutes clinched the win for Kildare.

Final score: Kildare 2-12 Cavan 1-10.

Scorers: Kildare, Ronan Kelly 1-1, Harry Donnelly 1-0, Austin Donegan 0-3, Dylan O'Dwyer 0-2 (1 free), Evan Boyle 0-1, Ruaidhri Lawlor 0-2, Paddy Ryan 0-1, Finn Dowling 0-1, Ollie Deller 0-1.

Cavan, Nathan Quigley 1-3 (2 frees), Joshua Shehu 0-3 (2 frees), Odhran Madden 0-3 (3 frees), Ultran O'Reilly 0-1.

KILDARE: Conor McDonnell (Celbridge); Rian Beagan (Sarsfields), Liam McDonald (Maynooth), Cian Cahill (Eadestown); Paddy Ryan (Maynooth), Finn Dowling (Kilcock), Liam Kenny (Naas); Evan Boyle (Carbury), Ruaidhrí Lawlor (St Laurence's); Cian McKevitt (Naas), Ronan Kelly (Athy), Brian Caffrey (Maynooth); Dylan O’Dwyer (St. Laurence’s), Austin Donegan (Rathangan), Tadhg Donlon (Round Towers). Subs: Harry Donnelly (Ellistown) for Dylan O'Dwyer (half-time); Luke Murray (Celbridge) for Seamus O'Reilly (41 minutes); Ollie Deller (Round Towers) for Cian McKevitt (50 minutes); Peter Fagan (Celbridge) for Liam Kenny (52 minutes); Senan Gallagher (St Laurence's) for Ruaidrí Lawlor (58 minutes).

CAVAN: Cian McConnell; Aaron Dowd, Conor Doyle, Senan Macken; Fiachra Brady, Oisín Maguire, Andrew Hill; Jamie Clarke, Thomas Gilsenan; Joshua Shehu, Ryan Nwaneri, Odhran Madden; Nathan Quigley, Finn Crowe, Seamus O'Reilly. Subs: Ultan O'Reilly for Thomas Gilsenan (20 minutes); Freddie McGuigan for Conor Doyle (half-time); Charlie Fallon for Finn Crowe (43 minutes); Shane McCabe for Freddie McGuigan (50 minutes); Tadhg Sheils for Seamus O'Reilly (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Alan Coyne, Westmeath.