KILDARE reached the semi final of the Leinster under 21 football championship with this hard earned victory over Kilkenny on Saturday evening at Newbridge.

Kilkenny trailed by four points after a good Kildare start, but came back into it and drew level. Just before half time Damien Walsh converted a penalty to leave Kilkenny 1-5 to 0-6 up at the break.

Walsh picked up a leg injury early in the second half and Kildare equalised. A goal and two points from Alan Smullen at the end secured them victory.