Kildare in like Flynn as Royals flounder
Meath have no answer as the Lilywhites book a first Leinster final since ’09
KILDARE beat Meath by nine points in Tullamore last night to clinch their place in the Leinster final.
Victory came courtesy of a superb team performance that left Meath in the shade on a sweltering night in Tullamore.
Unpacking the contents of this performance, Kildare manager Cian O’Neill will quickly recognise the quality of Cathal McNally’s performance.
In the first half alone, McNally fashioned 1-3 from play and was a menace around the middle, picking up breaks, disrupting Meath attacks and covering the pitch as if determined to flatten every blade of grass.
Daniel Flynn’s contribution was another highlight for the winners. Relatively quiet in the first half, Flynn nabbed 1-2 in the second half, his 67th minute goal putting the seal on a comprehensive Kildare victory.
When the sides last met, Kildare ran out convincing winners in the first round of the Allianz League. There were 10 points between them that day in Navan, Kildare sowing the seeds for a successful promotion drive, and having moved back to Division 1, the Lilies are now making plans for their first Leinster final since 2009.
McNally set the tone for Kildare with a quick brace from play in the fifth minute, though Meath had begun brightly, Bryan Menton winning the throw in, then galloping forward to create the first opening for James Toner, who scored within 14 seconds.
The sides were level after 10 minutes with Shane McEntee making the most of some space down the left wing to fist Meath’s second point. It was from that point on that Kildare took control. And they would score 1-3 without reply in a devastating seven-minute spell.
Flynn floated a beautiful point to push Kildare ahead for the second time. By now the Lilies were controlling midfield where Kevin Feely and Tommy Moolick were dominating the aerial battle. And as possession became more plentiful, the Kildare forwards profited handsomely.
McNally turned his man in the 13th minute and the Meath defence were left exposed. Paddy O’Rourke had to rush from his line but McNally slipped his shot low beneath the goalkeeper’s long frame. Net rattled, a sea of white colour swept across O’Connor Park as the goal-side umpire raised his green flag.
McNally was on target again five minutes later as Kildare’s lead increased to six. Feely had converted a free three minutes earlier, which was notable for the fact that it was the first free awarded in the game.
Fifteen minutes without a score, Meath corner-forward Donal Leninhan popped over a badly needed point but they were swimming against the tide. Before the half was out, Kildare had five more points on the board: Paddy Brophy scoring twice, Feely landing another free plus a wonderful left-footed effort from play while Flynn scored his second.
At 1-10 to 0-4, Kildare were good value for their nine-point lead at the change of ends.
Meath rallied at the start of the second half, the half-time break having the desired effect for Andy McEntee’s side with four unanswered points in the space of six minutes.
Lenihan got the ball rolling with his third point from play in the 38th minute. Half-time substitute Ruairi O Coileain made an immediate impact, firing two points in as many minutes. When he landed his second in the 41st minute, the Meath crowd found their voice but they were silenced just as quickly.
Kildare responded with another free from Feely and stretched their lead to seven when Flynn fired over from close range. The pace was now beginning to slacken in the heat. Meath were trying to force things in attack, the Lilywhites, content to hold their lead.
Without that competitive edge, the contest felt flat. Meath did get back within five when the valiant Menton kicked two in a row but it was not enough, even with 20 minutes remaining.
Kildare kicked on again, adding to their comfort with points from Feely (free), Flynn and second half substitute Eamon Callaghan.
The final nail in Meath’s coffin
came with three minutes remaining when Flynn palmed home the second Kildare goal. Nine points clear at the finish, O’Neill’s men were full value for a win that sets up a Leinster final date with Dublin or Westmeath.
It will be Kildare’s first Leinster final appearance since 2009 and with Dublin their likely opponents, memories of that classic shootout in ’09 will come to mind. On that occasion, Dublin prevailed by 2-15 to 0-18 despite playing with 14 men for most of the game.
Kildare may not start favourites for the final but they will travel full of confidence having disposed of Laois, and now Meath, in clinical fashion.