Kildare 2-17 – Longford 2-13 (AET)
KILDARE WILL FACE Laois in the Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship semi-final after a hard-fought win over Longford in Pearse Park today.
The reigning champions were taken to extra time in a game that was marred by a clash of heads between Longford’s Enda Macken and Conor Hartley of Kildare which saw the two treated on the field for 18 minutes by medical staff.
The pair were later taken to hospital in Mullingar but there is no word on their condition as yet.
Longford got off to the best possible start with a goal from full-forward Aiden McElligott to lead 1-1 to no score before the injuries to Macken and Hartley. Kildare fought back though and rattled off 1-7 without reply, Kavanagh’s goal helping them to a four point half-time lead; 1-8 to 1-4.
McGelligott grabbed his second goal of the game after 53 minutes but it still took a late Shane Kenny point to bring the game to extra time despite Kildare only scoring five second half points to make the score at full time 2-10 to 1-13.
Once again tough, the Lilywhites went on a run and had 1-4 on the board before Longford opened their extra time account and, in the end, the visitors ran out four point winners.
Laois 2-7 Wexford 1-8
Wexford will rue three late missed frees as well as a disallowed first half goal as Laois claimed a two-point victory in today’s early quarter-final.
Despite playing into the wind in the first half, the visitors took a one point lead into the break, 1-4 to 0-6 though Wexford will wonder why their 25th minute goal was disallowed.
The game was in the balance until 15 minutes from time when Aaron Dowling grabbed Laois’ second maximum of the game. Pat O’Rourke’s men had their chances to make a comeback.
However missed place balls – including two from close-range – ultimately cost them a semi-final spot.
Offaly 2-16 Westmeath 1-8
A Jack Walsh goal helped Offaly into a 1-5 to no score lead ten minutes into Friday night’s quarter-final with Westmeath in Tullamore and it didn’t get any easier for the visitors after that as they trailed 1-12 to 0-5 at half-time.
Ruairi McNamee found the net twice in the second half to secure the win despite Fergal Hynes consolation for Westmeath.
