Kildare survive gutsy Cavan comeback

Kildare 2-14 Cavan 2-12

Kildare had to withstand a late Cavan rally before securing their place in the All-Ireland MFC semi-final at Páirc Tailteann, Navan.

Kildare built up a 10-point lead at one stage in the opening half but were left clinging to a slender lead as Cavan staged a stirring revival which fell marginally short.

Cavan almost snatched a sensational winning goal in added time when full forward David Brady’s goal-bound shot was deflected out for a 45 by some heroic defending.

Kildare led 1-4 to 0-0 following Ciarán Kelly’s 17th minute goal. That lead stretched 1-8 to 0-1 before Cavan struck with quick-fire goals from Thomas Edward Donohoe and James Kelly. Kildare still led 1-11 to 2-2 at the interval and Jimmy Hyland stretched their lead with a 40th minute goal.

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, five frees), M Kelly (0-1), J Hyland (1-4, one free). Subs: S Doran for Hartley (48), K O'Callaghan for Ryan (BC 50), T Archbold for Healy (53), K Flynn for M Kelly (59).

CAVAN: F O'Rourke; L Fortune, P O'Reilly, L Fay-Cooper; D Raythorne (0-2), D Monahan, D Wilson; D Kennedy, C Brady; R O'Neill, T E Donohoe (1-3), R Clarke; R Fitzpatrick (0-3, two frees), D Brady (0-2, one free, one '45), J Brady (1-0). Subs: D Gannon (0-2) for O'Neill (30), C Smith for J Brady (40), S Smith for Gannon (47).

Referee: J Molloy (Galway)