Leinster Leader Senior Football League Division 1 Round 12 St Kevin's 0-12 Leixlip 0-10 Leixlip went to Staplestown last Friday to play St Kevin's in what was a precursor to the first round of the senior championship but left empty handed. It was a close and entertaining game with the winners just about deserving to claim the points. The visitors attacked from the throw in and were unfortunate not to raise a green flag as Paul O' Toole's flick from a high delivery in by David Jordan went inches over the crossbar. A similar effort by Adrian McAndrew at the opposite end was saved by former county keeper Enda Murphy, but they soon restored parity with a score from Mark Fitzharris.Leixlip had a slight edge at midfield where Paddy Moolick displayed some excellent fielding, while a David Jordan free regained them the lead. Then an excellent move involving Adrian McAndrew and Mick Kenny set up Eoghan Carew for the equaliser. The maroon clad men opened up a two point gap with a punched effort from Eamonn Murphy after a good run and a score from David Jordan in a move initiated by full back Cormac O' Toole. It was not looking good for the home side as they now trailed by 0-4 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter even though they had the advantage of a strong breeze. However they put in a storming second quarter and points from Adrian McAndrew (2) and Brian Dunne gave them the lead for the first time, a lead they would not relinquish.Leixlip had another goal opportunity when Paul O' Toole gathered a David Jordan pass, rounded his marker but his effort hit the butt of the post and St Kevin's counter attacked with a great burst forward by Gordon Kearney to set up Mick Kenny for a point.A Mark Fitzharris point on the stoke of half time gave the home side a 0-7 to 0-4 lead, a lead that looked vulnerable considering the strong wind. Leixlip set about reducing the deficit with a nice point from David Jordan early in the second period but it was soon cancelled with a Mark Fitzharris free.Eamonn Murphy and Ronan Quinn raised white flags to leave the minimum between the sides.'The Saints' made a few decisive changes with Barry Noone coming in off the bench and scoring with his first touch, while Mark Fitzharris added another with a fine effort after a patient build up.As the play flowed from end to end a good ball from John Roche found Paul O' Toole unmarked in front of goal but he blazed his effort over the bar.Barry Noone got his second score from a narrow angle thanks to the help of the upright and Mick Kenny gave them a crucial four point cushion following a good run from Cathal O' Leary.Leixlip applied the pressure in closing stages but with Jason Brosnan leading the way in home rearguard all they could muster was a brace of frees from David Jordan to trail by two points at the finish St Kevin's: John Grehan; Patrick Curtin , Jason Brosnan, Cathal O' Leary; Paddy Walsh, Gordon Kearney, Trevor McDonald; Brian Chubb, Brian Dunne (0-1); Eoghan Carew (0-1), Mark Fitzharris (0-4,1 f), Mick Kenny (0-2); Adrian McAndrew (0-2), Philip Reilly, Johnny Fitzharris. Subs: Barry Noone (0-2) for Johnny Fizharris (40 mins), Damien Reilly for Patrick Curtin (48 mins), Cormac Noone for Philip Reilly (53 mins). Leixlip: Enda Murphy; Kevin McNamee, Cormac O' Toole, Robbie Roche; John Roche, Ciaran Fadian, Darragh Killeen; Paddy Moolick, Ronan Quinn (0-1); Eamonn Murphy (0-2), David Jordan (0-5, 3 f's), Ciaran Wynne; Paddy Maher, Aidan Ryan, Paul O' Toole (0-2). Subs: Ivan Clancy for Kevin McNamee (36 mins), Martin Shaughnessy for Aidan Ryan (52 mins). Ref. Liam Herbert (Sallins). Tweet

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