Kildare 2-14 Cavan 2-12

Kildare are through to the last four of the All-Ireland MFC after withstanding a stirring comeback from Cavan at Pairc Tailteann this evening.

The Leinster champions looked to be cruising to victory when they led by 10 points after 22 minutes, but buoyed by two quick-fire goals before half-time, Cavan fought back to leave their opponents hanging on for a two-point win at the end.

Kildare came flying out of the starting blocks and led by 1-4 to 0-0 at the end of the first quarter with Ciaran Kelly getting the goal. Thomas Edward Donohoe eventually opened Cavan's account, only for the winners to reply with further points from Matthew Kelly, Shea Ryan and Jimmy Hyland to extend their lead to 1-8 to 0-1.

But the Breffnimen finished the half strongly with Donohoe and James Brady raising green flags in the 24th and 26th minutes. Robbie Fitzpatrick also pointed to leave just six between the sides, 2-2 to 1-11, at the break.

Cavan continued to make inroads into Kildare's lead with scores from Donohoe and Fitzpatrick at the start of the second half. With just three points in it, 1-13 to 2-7, Hyland gave Brendan Hackett's charges some breathing space once again with a 42nd minute goal.

However, the Ulster runners-up refused to throw in the towel. After a Hyland point made it 2-14 to 2-8, Cavan rallied with four unanswered points from David Wilson, David Brady (two) and Fitzpatrick to set up a grandstand finish.

But Kildare survived.

Kildare - D Campbell; R Slattery, M Joyce, D Lawlor; S Healy, S Ryan, G Burke; D Courtney, R Feely (0-1); C Hartley, E O'Donoghue (0-1), S Lawler; C Kelly (1-7, 0-5f), M Kelly (0-1), J Hyland (1-4, 0-1f). Subs: S Doran for C Hartley, K O'Callaghan for S Ryan, T Archbold for S Healy, K Flynn for M Kelly.

Cavan - F O'Rourke; L Fortune, P O'Reilly, L Fay Cooper; D Raythorne (0-1), D Monahan, D Wilson (0-1); D Kennedy, C Brady; R O'Neill, T E Donohoe (1-3), R Clarke; R Fitzpatrick (0-3, 2f), D Brady (0-2, 1f, 1'45), J Brady (1-0). Subs: D Gannon (0-2) for R O'Neill, C Smith for J Brady, S Smith for D Gannon.

Referee - J Molloy.

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