Armagh 2-14 Kildare 2-8 Ulster champions Armagh are the first team through to the semi-finals of the ESB All-Ireland MFC following a thrilling victory over Kildare at Kingspan/Breffni Park. While the Orchard County's margin of victory was six points in the end, just two points had separated the sides before the winners finally killed off the Kildare challenge with a late 1-1 salvo. Armagh had looked to be coasting when they led by seven points at half-time, but the Lilywhites threw everything at them in the second half to set up a tense finale. A Kevin Fitzpatrick goal after just six minutes gave Brian Murphy's Kildare the perfect start, but with Eugene McVerry kicking six first half points, including five from play, Armagh went on to lead by 1-10 to 1-3 at the break. The Armagh goal was scored by Gavin McParland in the 20th minute. But the beaten Leinster finalists refused to lie down and after Darroch Mulhall and Cian Reynolds shot points, Mulhall blasted home a 51st minute goal to leave just three points between the sides. Sean Hurley then had a goal disallowed for 'square ball' and was denied again moments later by a brilliant save from Stephen O'Reilly. With the margin down to just two points, Armagh broke up the field in injury-time and sealed the win thanks to a Tomas Moolick own goal. Armagh - S O'Reilly; K Downey, R Finnegan, K Nugent; D McKenna, N Rowland (0-1), J Morgan (0-1); P Carragher, J Donnelly; R Grugan (0-3, 2f), A Murnin (0-1), C King (0-1); R Tasker, E McVerry (0-7, 2f), G McParland (1-0). Subs - R Rafferty for King, T McAlinden for Donnelly. Kildare - M Donnellan; D Holton, T Barron, D McDonnell; C O'Shea, K Corrigan, E Doyle; T Moolick, J Comerford; K Fitzpatrick (1-0), P Cribbin (0-2), S Hurley (0-1); D Mulhall (1-2, 2f), P Fogarty (0-1), C Reynolds (0-2). Subs - J Byrne for McDonnell, W Burke for Holton, P Cocoman for Fitzpatrick. Ref - Gregory Walsh (Antrim) Tweet

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