Leinster Minor Results

[LilySavage]

Fair enough, a lot of wides yesterday but made for an exciting game. Having seen the Dublin no.11 in Tullamore, I was again impressed yesterday. The small no.4 did a lot of damage as well when coming forward. Delighted the replay is in Carlow, will be a big support from south of the county(there always is) and a nice tightknit venue.

[Donnellys Hollow]

Dublin 1-15 Kildare 1-10 AET

First off, congratulations to both teams for giving 140 minutes of great entertainment.

Dublin seemed to have learned a lot more from the drawn game and were deserving winners on the day. Kildare had plenty of ball in the opening quarter but we were very nervous up front. Kicked some bad wides and dropped countless balls short into the keepers hands. That seemed to drain some of the confidence out of the lads when one or two scores would have settled us. Dublin were far more economical in possession and took their chances when they presented themselves. Seán Dowling was badly missed from the edge of the Kildare square. Dublin's goal was a bit fortunate but they were well worth their six point lead at HT.

It would have been very easy for Kildare to throw in the towel at that stage because they really did look dead and buried but you have to give them great credit for the heart they showed. It's no surprise that the Aussies are after Paul Cribbin because he dragged us right back into the game kicking some great points. We needed a goal like we did against Meath and Mulhall was the man to provide it again. He's got a great eye for goal like his cousin Tadhg Fennin before him. That said, he probably should have taken his point when he was straight through on goal at the start of extra time but the keeper did well in fairness.

Kildare had put so much into the second half come back that there wasn't really a lot left in the locker for extra time. Credit to the Dubs for lifting it again though. Had we converted a few of the opportunities that we kicked wide at the start of the second period it might have been interesting but it wasn't to be. It'll be hard to lift it again for an All-Ireland quarter final but this team has great spirit and they shouldn't fear anyone.