Leinster MFC: Kildare and Wicklow play out epic draw

July 08, 2018

Wicklow's Eoin Darcy

Extra-time failed to separate Kildare and Wicklow in a thrilling Leinster MFC semi-final at Newbridge today.

The Garden County came from four points down to force a replay as the sides finished level on 3-13 apiece.

An Eoghan Byrne goal left the visitors trailing by the minimum with a minute left on the clock and seconds later John Keogh stepped up to convert what proved to be the equalising free.

Kildare looked to have one foot in the final thanks to extra-time goals from Sam Morrissey and Aaron Kennedy but they were subsequently caught on the line and the two talented teams must meet again to decide who will advance to face Meath.

Jack Smyth's goal on the stroke of half-time had given the hosts a 1-8 to 1-3 cushion at the halfway stage in normal time.

Eoin Darcy raised two green flags for Kevin O'Brien's charges with his second arriving via the penalty spot in the second-half.

The regulation 60 minutes finished with the St Conleth's Park scoreboard reading Kildare 1-12, Wicklow 2-9.

Kildare - J Ball; J Lynch, S Hill, J Hamill; N Jackman, K Kelliher, P McDermott (0-1); L Broderick, M Kiely; S Morrissey (0-1), A Beirne (0-2), M McGovern (0-1); M Curtin (0-4, 3f), A Kennedy (2-2), J Smyth (1-2). Subs: E O'Hare for J Smyth (BC), D Caulfield for N Jackman, D Costello for L Broderick, S Englishby for M Curtin, D Higgins for M McGovern, L Broderick for M Kiely, M Kiely for L Broderick.

Wicklow - B Fennell; F O'Carroll, S Kearney, T Moran; K Quinn, O Cullen, C Grimes; E Byrne (1-0), S Doody (0-1); A Barrett, C Maguire, J Keogh (0-2, 1f); M Ging (0-5, 2f), E Darcy (2-5, 0-3f, 0-2'45), A Foley. Subs: J Fleming Foran for A Foley, C McDonald for A Foley, J Doyle for A Barrett, O Cullen for F O'Carroll, S Daly for J Doyle, D Lawlor for S Cranley.

Referee - C Dwyer.


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