Kildare minor hurlers advance to semi-final

Eoghan Lyons another fine game for Kildare minor hurlers

placeholder image — Eoghan Lyons another fine game for Kildare minor hurlers

Cuan Óg MacAogain stars as Lilies prove too strong for Wicklow

Brian Murnane's Kildare minor hurlers booked a place in the Leinster MHC semi-final (Tier 2) following a five point win over Wicklow at Manguard Park, Hawkfield, this afternoon.

It was a game dominated by the home side throughout, with full forward, Cian Óg MacAogain the main scoring threat for The Lilies, the Naas man hitting an impressive 1-12.

Kildare led after the opening quarter 1-10 to 0-2, Cian Óg getting the home goal.

Wicklow finished the half well with four points on the trot but still trailed 1-11 to 0-6.

The opening six points were shared equally before Kildare on hitting five points on the trot.

Wicklow did not go away however and a goal from Joe Keeshan gave them some hope but The Lilies responded with five points on the trot and by the 61 minute led 1-24 to 1-14. However the boys from the Garden County hit two goals in a minute from star forward Colin Lawrence, who finished with an impressive 2-10, but it was too little too late as Kildare on a final score line of Kildare 1-25 Wicklow 3-14.

Scorers: Kildare, Cuan Óg MacAogain 1-12 (2 65s, 6 frees), Eoghan Lyons 0-4, Michael Reilly 0-2, Sean Higgins 0-2, Adam Conway 0-1, Aaron Moylan 0-1, Finnian O’Rourke 0-1, Luke Cahill 0-1, Patrick O’Brien 0-1.

Wicklow, Colin Lawrence 2-10 (4 frees), Joe Keeshan 1-1, Nathan Gough 0-1, DJ WIlliams 0-1, Callum Jordan Dempsey 0-1.

KILDARE: Cillian Hennessy (Eire Óg Corra Choill); Aodhan Dowling (Naas), Conor Dunphy (Naas), Jack King (Celbridge); Senan Nicholson cpt (Leixlip), Charlie Allen (Kilcock), Kilcock; Dara Lynch (Confey); Aaron Moylan (Rathangan), Finnan O'Rourke (Naas); Patrick O'Brien (Celbridge), Sean Higgins (Naas), Michael Reilly (Leixlip) ; Eoghan Lyons (Leixlip(, Cuan Óg MacAogain (Naas), Adam Conway (Clane). Subs: Rory Hannigan (Sallins) for Adam Conway (47 minutes); Paidi Knox (Maynooth) for Aodhan Dowling (49 minutes); Cathal Griffin (Naas) for Jack King (51 minutes); Bobby Gallagher (Kilcock) for Patrick O’Brien (55 minutes); Luke Cahill for Eoghan Lyons (57 minutes).

WICKLOW: Sean Byrne; John Lynch, Niall Eglington, Kevin Murphy; Oisin Fanning, Daniel Duffy, Tomas Darcy; Aodhan Heaney, Callum Jordan Dempsey; Nathan Gough, Joe Keeshan, Nicky Ryan; Rian Kennedy, Liam Buckley, Colin Lawrence. Subs: DJ Williams for Kaelem Buckley (35 minutes); Zak Windsor for Nicky Ryan (42 minutes);Dylan Rooney for Nathan Gough (61 minutes); James Draguisn for RIan Kennedy (61 minutes).

REFEREE: Matthew Farrell, Offaly.