Kilkenny the star turn for young Dubs

Dublin 1-24 Kildare 0-11:DUBLIN DUAL star Ciarán Kilkenny underlined his rising status in the game with a stunning 11-point haul to fire the Dublin minor footballers into the Leinster final at Parnell Park last night.

The young Dubs, managed by former Hill 16 hero and GPA chief Dessie Farrell, were in a different class to a game Kildare side who battled hard, but were no match for a Dublin side enjoying a huge physical advantage.

Aided by the breeze, Dublin blitzed Kildare from the throw-in and their physical power and direct long-ball approach made an instant impact with good scores coming from Scott Fulham, Kilkenny, Costello and Gavin Ivory.

When Daniel Flynn began to assert himself in the middle and they improved the speed and accuracy of their delivery forward, Kildare seized the initiative with good scores from Barry Coffey, Niall Kelly and Paddy Brophy.

Dublin brought the towering Kilkenny out around the middle and he helped O’Higgins and Ivory win back control.

After looking under pressure, Dublin impressively reeled off points from an Ivory 45, Costello and two from Kilkenny to go in 0-11 to 0-5 up at the break.

A ruthless Dublin surged forward and the match was finished off in the 41st minute when a brilliant move started by Patrick O’Higgins at midfield was crashed to the net by Paul Mannion.

DUBLIN: R O’Hanlon; R Real, R McDaid, G Hannigan; J McCaffrey (0-1), J Small, E Lowndes; E Ó Conghaile, P O’Higgins; C Costello (0-3), D Campbell (0-2), G Ivory (0-5, one 45); C Kilkenny (0-11,four frees), P Mannion (1-1), S Fulham (0-1). Subs: A O’Brien for Fulham (53 mins), C Meaney for Costello (54), D O’Brien for Real (55), R Mullins for Kilkenny (58), M MacDonncha for O’Higgins (60).

KILDARE: S McNamara; B Egan, S O’Hagan, S Higgins; D Duke (0-1), J Murray, D Hyland (0-1); G Farrell, D Flynn; P Brophy (0-1), F Conway (0-1), B Coffey (0-2, frees); T Gibbons (0-1), N Kelly (0-3, two frees), D King (0-1). Subs: C Brady for Coffey (35 mins), T O’Connell for Flynn (43), G Hogan for Kelly, S Christianson for Farrell (both 49), E Ralph for J Murray (50).

Referee: D Maher (Westmeath).

Dublin and Meath will meet in the minor decider on Sunday, July 10th at Croke Park. Throw-in (before the senior final) will be at noon.