Kildare GAA: Ardclough minors take Div 2 title

Ardclough came out on top in a close run MHL Division 2 final on Wednesday evening at Hawkfield.

Close throughout the sides were level on five occasions in the opening half before a Tadhg Kelly goal gave EECC the edge when they led 1-7 to 0-8 after 30 minutes and that lead was pushed out at the break to four points as they led 1-9 to 0-8.

Ardclough came back strong on the resumption with man of the match, Jamie O'Connor, in sparkling form, the big midfielder hitting a very impressive 1-8.

A second half penalty converted by O'Connor set Ardclough on the comeback trail and a second goal from Odhan Byrne in the 51 minute clinched victory despite EECC throwing everything at the winners late on but Ardclough held out with some excellent defending late on.

Referee Eoin Murphy sent four players to the line after a scuffle broke out in the 66 minute in what up to that point was a very well contested and non-controversial contest.

Final score Ardclough 2-14 Éire Óg Corrachoill 1-15.

ARDCLOUGH: Benjamin O'Reilly; Conor Kelly, Cormac Graham, Finn Leach; Gavin Keane, Gavin Walsh, Hugh Donegan; Jamie O'Connor 1-8 (4f, penalty), Odhran Byrne 1-3 (1f); Oisin Philips, Patrick O'Malley 0-1, Billy Corcoran 0-1; Christian Barry, Ben Ferris 0-1, Darragh Miller. Subs: Andrew Moore for Christian Barry (h/t); Ronan O'Malley for Conor Kelly (45m); Harry Maughan (45m); Kyle Kelly for Billy Corcoran (60m).

EIRE OG CC: Conor Taaffe; Caolan O'Toole, Conor Sullivan, Ben Brennan; Ruadh Curran, Niall Creamer, Brian Merrigan; Jack Courtney, Billy Brennan (04, 2f); Shane Malone 0-1, Tadhg Kelly 1-1, Fergal McKennedy; Donnchadh Fitzpatrick, Cian O'Reilly 0-5 (3f), Fionan Manders 0-4 (2f, s/l).

REFEREE: Eoin Murphy.