SPORTS DIGEST: Dublin 2 - 16 Kildare 1- 8:Dublin took off in the second half to book their place against Meath in the Leinster MFC final at St Conleth's Park last night.

While the teams went in level at half-time, the signs had been there at the latter end of the opening period that the Dubs were beginning to wrest control. A Neil Flynn goal, allied with two outstanding saves by Colin Heaney kept Kildare in touch, with dual star Cormac Costello bagging four points for Dublin.

Dessie Farrell’s charges were well on top in the third quarter. The key score was Conor McHugh’s 35th-minute goal at a time when the sides were still level. Heaney made another spectacular stop from Niall Scully five minutes later and Wayne Fitzpatrick offered Kildare hope with an excellent point soon after. But Dublin lofted over four points on the trot before Costello found the net 10 minutes from time.

DUBLIN:L Molloy; E Mullan, D Byrne, R McGowan; E Lowndes, C Mulally, M Mac Donncha; Stephen Cunningham, S Carthy (0-1, 45); R Gaughan (0-1), G Burke, N Walsh (0-2); C McHugh (1-3), N Scully (0-3), C Costello (1-5, two frees). Subs: Shane Cunningham (0-1) for Gaughan (25 mins); E Fletcher for MacDonncha (52 mins); D Gormley for Walsh (57 mins); J Fitzgibbon for Mulally (60+1 mins)

KILDARE:C Heaney; P Mescall, S O'Hagan, E Mahon; R Houlihan, D Hyland, D Duke; M Sherry (0-1), P Connell; S O'Flynn, N Kelly (0-2); W Fitzpatrick (0-1), C Healy, P Brophy (0-2), N Flynn (1-1). Subs: T O'Connell for O'Hagan (39 mins); C McMonagle for O'Flynn (42 mins); K Mulhall for Mescall (48 mins); R Fitzgibbon (0-1)for Healy (48 mins); O Gill for Sherry (55 mins).

Referee:D Gough (Meath)

Ireland set sights on Afghanistan victory

Ireland will be aiming to pull off a quite remarkable victory on the final day of their Intercontinental Cup clash against Afghanistan at Rathmines today (10.30am) after taking the upper hand when play finally got underway yesterday.

Seven of the 12 sessions were lost to rain and a wet outfield before play started at 2pm after Ireland skipper Kevin O’Brien won a vital toss and inserted the visitors.

Ireland’s seam attack were in outstanding form with Max Sorensen and Alex Cusack both taking four wickets as Afghanistan were bowled out for 84 inside 30 overs. Trent Johnston’s return of two for seven from eight overs showed his accuracy also.

Paul Stirling (42) and Andrew Balbirnie (21) put on 49 for the first wicket before an unbeaten 61-run stand between Cusack (34no) and Gary Wilson (21no) helped Ireland to the six bonus points on offer for a first-innings lead as they closed on 126 for four, a lead of 42. EMMET RIORDAN

Mills in to semis of 400m in Barcelona

Joanna Mills underlined her good form by progressing to the semi-finals of the 400 metres at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona yesterday. Mills – one of the athletes caught up in the women’s relay selection controversy for London – ran a season’s best of 54.17 to finish fourth, and qualified as one of the fastest losers.

Waterford’s Ben Kiely also produced a fine run to make the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles, his time of 52.39 also good enough fourth.

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner couldn’t quite reproduce her first-round performance when placing sixth in the semi-finals of the women’s 800m in a time of 2.06.70, thus missing a place in the final.

Reigning World Youth Champion Kate Veale finished a slightly disappointing 17th in the women's 10,000m walk, although she did post a personal best time of 48:50.20 – while teammate Emma Prendiville finished 31st, also posting a new best of 52:41.51. IAN O'RIORDAN

Irish crews at World Under-23 event set for repechages

Ireland’s two crews in action at the World Under-23 Championships in Lithuania finished fourth in their heats and will compete in repechages today. The lightweight pair of Shane O’Driscoll and Jonny Mitchell lost out to Argentina for the crucial third place by .29 of a second. The men’s four of Eddie Mullarkey, Seán O’Connor, Finbar Manning and Tom Lynam also pushed hard to overtake Croatia for third in their heat but were held off. With three of four boats going through from the repechages in both disciplines, the two Irish crews should qualify for the semi-finals.

In the women’s section, lightweight single sculler Claire Lambe, the double of Holly Nixon and Laura Durso and single sculler Lisa Dilleen are on action today.

LIAM GORMAN