Kildare's fast blows Leitrim away in the wind in Electric Ireland Tier 2 All-Ireland MFC quarter-final

Kildare's ability to make the most from the strong wind that blew down the field at the  Manguard Plus Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence last Sunday morning was the decisive factor as a battling Leitrim were never quite able to come to terms with their physically imposing hosts.

The Lilywhites had 1-9 on the board by the time Leitrim opened their account 22 minutes into Sunday's Electric Ireland Tier 2 All Ireland MFC Quarter Final as they laid siege to a lethargic Leitrim who seemed stuck to the ground compared to their Leinster counterparts.

Part of that might have been down to an incredibly early start for Sunday's contest, the 12 noon start that necessitated some players from Manorhamilton leaving their homes at 6.15 am while delays over pitch markings added a layer of friction not conducive to a strong Leitrim performance.

Yet as much as the conditions and their early start contributed to Leitrim's slow start, we have to admit we would be clutching at straws as an impressive Kildare produced an exceptionally good display to book their place in Saturday's semi final against Armagh.

Looking more like an U20 team rather than Minor, Kildare's physical strength and power was displayed in all sectors, the Lilywhites bossing possession for long periods and dominated the aerial contests in the middle of the field, a not inconsiderable factor given the impact of the strong wind had on this game.

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Leitrim battled as if their lives depended on it, fighting for every ball but the reality is that were it not for a string of wonder saves from keeper Scott Kerr and some incredible long range shots from Senan McGowan, this would have been a cruise in the park for Kildare.

The hosts led by ten points at the break but with Senan McGowan booming over a two pointer and another long range shot going through the hands of the Kildare keeper and into the net, Leitrim cut that gap to just four points inside the first five minutes of the second half and the Green & Gold would have the wind.

But as they did after Leitrim's breakaway first half goal, Kildare simply killed off the game by controlling possession for long periods and picking off their scores with an efficiency that Leitrim just could not stop.

Even late on, when McGowan hit two massive two-pointers in the space of a minute to cut the Kildare lead back to five points, Leitrim were unable to build on their momentum as the hosts hit an unanswered 1-1 to kill off Leitrim's dreams.

That Leitrim were able to stay in contention for so long was chiefly down to Kerr's heroics between the sticks - three amazing one-on-one saves backed up a series of performances in the game against Down and the Connacht Shield Final against Sligo that marks him out as one for the future.

Senan McGowan landed an impressive 1-8, 1-6 of which came from shots outside the 45 metre line as the Allen Gaels players' long range accuracy became a potent weapon that Kildare were never able to quell although their dominance of possession meant Leitrim were never able to generate the momentum they needed in the second half to mount an improbable comeback.

Kildare set out their stall early and very impressively as they landed four points in as many minutes - Ollie Deller took a pass from midfield partner Calum Keaveny who had won the throw-in to score after just 20 seconds, quickly followed by a good point from wing-back Sean Gleeson as they cleverly worked their way through Leitrim's defensive lines.

That pattern was repeated as  Kildare were happy to hold onto possession before finishing off with a point, as Hugh Martin did eight minutes in. The resulting kickout was won by Kildare and  sent into Nathan Dunne, a goal briefly appearing on as the Lilywhite fired over.

Leitrim’s first shot came after six minutes but Senan McGowan’s ambitious effort into the strong wind came to nothing as the ball drifted wide. Kildare thought they had a two pointer when Pauric Carty boomed over a huge kick but referee Ian Howley ruled that the ball had taken a nick although it was hard to see where.

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Kildare’s full-back Niall McAndrew got in on the act, profiting after a strong run from Deller to set up the score and it soon got much worse as Kildare struck for their first goal, a long ball into Dunne who set up Mark Travers, a young man with Killargue links, for a well taken goal on ten minutes.

They nearly had a second but Dunne put the chance wide before Carty fired over a great point for a rampant Kildare. Mercifully, Kildare started to hit a couple of wides while Scott Kerr came up the field to try his luck with a long range free but the wind again proved too big a hurdle, the ball drifting wide.

Hugh Martin struck Kildare’s only two pointer on 19 minutes while a fine Senan McGowan long range attempt was fielded on the line by keeper Jamie Wall. 

Conor Reynolds opened Leitrim’s account on 22 minutes, Kildare punished for over-carrying and a quickly taken free came to the Bornacoola player for a fine score. Then Leitrim hit their first goal of the contest when Leitrim went long to Gearoid Curley who launched a low shot towards the goal.

The Leitrim Gaels man’s shot may have been heading for the net but  Jack Donohue dived in to force the ball over the line although Kildare protested loudly about a square ball and they may have a case with the umpires seemingly hesitant to signal the score but referee Howley awarded a goal.

Kildare responded in style as Glesson notched his second point  before Rory Thompson dodged his way through two defenders to fire over a point. Senan McGowan hit a point in the final seconds of normal time but Ollie Deller got his second on the run in added time.

That left Kildare with a formidable 1-12 to 1-2 lead at the break but Leitrim had the strong wind in the second half. Kildare had the first shot, the wind taking it wide before Senan McGowan boomed a long range effort for a Leitrim two pointer in the first minute, his Allen Gaels clubman Daire McCabe quickly adding a fine point.

Scott Kerr leapt incredibly high to prevent a certain Niall McAndrew point and from that, Leitrim countered with McGowan launching another monster two point effort - Kildare keeper Jamie Wall seemed to have the ball covered but under pressure, the ball went through his hands and into the net for a real break for Leitrim.

Kildare took the heat from the game for the next few minutes before Hugh Martin broke through a couple of tackles to score on eight minutes. McCabe almost had sight of a goal but was  fouled, outside the area, McGowan tapping over the free.

Kildare should have had a second goal but Scott Kerr made a great save to deny Carty a certain goal but a foul in the build-up allowed Thompson to convert a free. Leitrim made changes with Cillian McWeeney and Jack Prior coming on but Kildare were in control, Thompson adding another free that was moved in after referee Howley booked mentor Ciaran Kennedy for dissent.

Kerr came to Leitrim’s rescue one against when sub Eoghan Lyons bore down on goal but the keeper managed to divert the powerful shot onto his right hand post and the danger was cleared.

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Unfortunately, Kildare’s threat could not be contained and a great move was finished brilliantly by the impressive Martin, leaving Kildare nine points clear with just over ten minutes to go. It should have been more with Charlie Doran kicking a bad wide while Kerr made yet another save to deny Carty again.

Daire McCabe hit a long range effort but it was fielded by Wall in the Kildare goal, the Allen Gaels clubman following up with a wide. Leitrim brought on Ross O’Shea, Michael O’Grady and Jack Moolick in the closing stages as they chased the game.

It appeared Leitrim had some momentum when they were twice awarded frees that were moved up after Green & Gold players were tackled after a  mark.  McGowan took both on the edge of the 45 metre line and converted both to leave just five points between the teams with just over three minutes of normal time left on the clock.

But as they had throughout the second half, Kildare slowed the pace of the game and then struck with deadly efficiency, putting together another great move that Nathan Dunne finished to the net with great aplomb after 58 minutes to kill off the brave Leitrim challenge.

Dunne should have had a second  in the final minute but amazingly blazed wide with the goal at his mercy. Charlie Doran pointed after the Lilywhites had held onto the ball for the guts of two minutes in added time to seal their place in the semi-finals.

LEITRIM

Scorers: Senan McGowan 1-8, 6f (3 tp); Jack Donohue 1-0; Conor Reynolds & Daire McCabe 0-1 each

Team: Scott Kerr; Jack Donohue; Ronan Connolly; Louis Quinn; Darragh Boyle; Evan Gilligan; Karl Gethins; Thomas Gunn; Geroid Curley; Conor Reynolds; Senan McGowan; Frankie McManus; Sean Gaffney; Daire McCabe; Mark Nolan. Subs: Cillian McWeeney for Gethins (40); Jack Prior for Gunn (42); Ross O'Shea & Michael O’Grady for Boyle & Reynolds (54); Jack Moolick for Nolan (58); Charlie Slevin for Curley (59)

KILDARE 

Scorers: Hugh Martin 1-4, 1 tp; Nathan Dunne 1-1, Mark Travers 1-0, Rory Thompson 0-3, 2f; Pauric Carty, Ollie Deller & Sean Gleeson 0-2 each; Niall McAndrew & Charlie Doran 0-1 each

Team: Jamie Wall: Dan Sargent, Niall McAndrew, Sean Gallagher; Charlie Cullen, Aidan Maddock, Sean Gleeson; Calum Keaveney, Ollie Deller; Nathan Dunne, Hugh Martin, Mark Travers; Pauric Carthy, Rory Thompson, Charlie Doran. Subs: Eoghan Lyons for Thompson (47); Conor O'Brien & Riann Curran for Carty & Travers (54); Max Rainbow for Keaveny (63)

REFEREE: Ian Howley (Dublin)