HOME’S WHERE THEIR HEART IS
Ultimate vindication as Lilywhites end dramatic week with stunning win
KILDARE proved they were right to stand their ground as they sent Mayo crashing out of the Championship. The Lilywhites endured a turbulent week after the GAA tried to deny them home advantage in this qualifier tie – despite Kildare being drawn out of the hat first. The GAA eventually backed down but that meant Kildare were under pressure to perform last night – a burden they carried with style.
KILDARE sensationally knocked Mayo out of the All-ireland Championship thanks to a thrilling victory over in St Conleth’s Park.
A game which generated so much talk off the pitch in the build up will ultimately be remembered for the action that took place on the field in what was undoubtedly the game of the Championship so far.
Having been tied 0-9 apiece at the break, it was the impact of Cian O’neill’s bench that made a telling difference in a brilliant second half for the Lilywhites.
Although Stephen Coen opened the scoring for the Green and Red, it was the home side who were much the better team in the opening quarter as they led by 0-7 to 0-2 after 17 minutes. Fergal Conway was a real driving force for them during that spell as he thundered through a couple of challenges to open Kildare’s account, and further points from Neill Flynn and Kevin Feely pushed them two clear.
Footballer of the Year Andy Moran responded with an exceptional score from the right wing, but Daniel Flynn and Neill Flynn both raised white flags for the home team either side of a Paul Cribbin score that came after a sublime long pass from Paddy Brophy.
Another converted free from Flynn sent Kildare five clear, but they were wiped out in midfield during the second quarter as Mayo began to dominate.
Kildare’s lack of discipline cost them at this stage as Cillian O’connor slotted over four frees, while Paddy Durcan stole up from wing-back on two occasions to smash over two wonderful points to push the Connacht men into the lead.
Paul Cribbin and Neill Flynn landed points either side of a superb Diarmuid O’connor score, leaving the sides tied 0-9 apiece at the interval.
The second half was a titanic tussle which Kildare only really managed to get a grip of in the closing 10 minutes.
Moran and O’connor pointed for Mayo either side of efforts from Neill Flynn and Cribbin, but it was a patch in the second half where Kildare scored five points in the space of 10 minutes that really set up the win.
The bench made a great impact as David Slattery and Niall Kelly both set up scores for Feely and Daniel Flynn, while Johnny Byrne and Paul Cribbin also raised white flags.
Mayo rallied through scores from Durcan and Eoin O’donoghue, but Peter Kelly, Niall Kelly and Eamonn Callaghan all landed points late on to seal a dramatic win for the Lilywhites. Aidan O’shea saw red for Mayo late on, but it made scant difference as Stephen Rochford’s men couldn’t muster the goal they so badly needed.