Heartbreak for Kildare as they lose out to Westmeath in extra time
Tough on the Lilies who gave it their all but came up just short
It was heartbreak for Kildare at O'Connor Park, Tullamore, this afternooon when losing out to Westmeath after extra time on a final score line of Westmeath 2-21 Kildare 0-23.
It was an excellent point from Alex Beirne that forced the extra time but a goal from Brandon Kelly, palmed to the net after the initial effort was saved.
Kildare were chasing from here on. Colm Moran and Charlie Drumm shared points before Robbie Forde and Brandon Kelly wrapped it up.
Kildare had the best of possession early on, going two clear only for Westmeath to come back to level.
However The Lilies then hit three points in a row from Ben Loakman, Tommy Gill and Loakman again to open a two-point lead on 11 minutes.
Midway through and half Kildare led by three before Westmeath got a grip around the middle hitting 1-5, without reply in a golden 15 minute spell, the goal coming after Brendan Kelly got inside his marker and buried the ball inside the near post.
Kildare ended the half strong with Darragh Swords hitting an excellent two-pointer and Eoin Cully firing over his second to leave the half-time score reading Kildare 0-10 Westmeath 1-8.
In the second half Westmeath opened a four point lead on 46 minutes but Kildare kept at them, albeit with limited possession.
Second half substitute Alex Beirne kept his side alive with a brilliant two-pointer free and when Kevin Feely pointed on 55 minutes the sides were level.
Westmeath went three clear, Sam McCartan, a two-pointer and appoint from play before Jack Robinson and Eoin Cully left one in it 65 minutes.
Darragh Kirwan leveled but Shane Allen gave the boys in maroon the lead on 68 minutes and then just before the hooter arrived, up popped Alex Beirne with a brilliant point to level the game and force extra time - Kildare 0-19 Westmeath 1-16.
As stated it was the goal in extra time that set up the winners
Heartbreak for Kildare but a great day for Westmeath who now meet Dublin in the final.
Scorers: Westmeath, Sam McCartan 0-5 (2 two-pointer frees), Brian Cooney 1-0, Brandon Kelly 1-4, Senan Baker 0-2, Ray Connellan 0-2 (1 free), Kevin O’Sullivan 0-1, Shane Corcoran 0-1, Shane Allen 0-1, Tadhg Baker 0-1, Ronan Wallace 0-1, Charlie Drumm 0-1, Robbie Forde 0-1, Eoghan McCabe 0-1.
Kildare, Eoin Cully 0-4, Alex Beirne 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Darragh Kirwan 0-4, Ben Loakman 0-3, Darragh Swords 0-2 (two-pointer), Callum Bolton 0-1, Tommy Gill 0-1, Kevin Feely 0-1, Jack Robinson 0-2, Brian McLoughlin 0-1 (free), Colm Moran 0-1.
WESTMEATH: Jason Daly; Daniel Scahill, Charlie Drumm, Tadhg Baker; Ronan Wallace, Shane Allen, Matthew Whittaker; Brían Cooney, Ray Connellan; Kevin O'Sullivan, Sam McCartan, Conor Dillon cpt; Shane Corcoran, Senan Baker, Brandon Kelly. Subs: Shane Ormsby for Matthew Whittaker (13 minutes); Robbie Forde for Kevin O’Sullivan (49 minutes): Danny McCartan for Senan Baker (55 minutes); Eoghan McCabe for Shane Allen (69 minutes). Adam Treanor for Conor Dillon; Shane Corcoran for Eoghan McCabe, Kevin O’Sullivan for for Ian Martin (all at the start of ex); Matthew Whittaker for Same McCartan (76 minutes); Jack Duncan for Tadhg Baker (83 minutes); Eoghan McCabe for Shane Ormsby (87 minutes).
KILDARE: Cian Burke; Harry O’Neill, Mark Dempsey, Ryan Burke; James McGrath, Eoin Lawlor, Brian Byrne; Kevin Feely cpt, Brendan Gibbons; Harry O’Neill, Darragh Swords, Callum Bolton; Ben Loakman, Darragh Kirwan, Eoin Cully. Subs: Ben McCormack for Harry O’Neill half-time); Alex Beirne for Ben Loakman (44 minutes); Brian McLoughlin for Darragh Swords (50 minutes); Jack Robinson for Callum Bolton (59 minutes); Ian Martin for Shane Corcoran (59 minutes); Colm Moran for James McGrath (58 minutes); Padraic Spilane for Tommy Gill (start of et); Colm Dalton for Ryan Burke (76 minutes); James Harris for Eoin Lawlor (78 minutes); Ben Loakman for Ben McCormack (86 minutes);
REFEREE: Martin McNally, Monaghan.