LEINSTER MFC SEMI-FINAL:ONE WEEK on from their senior footballers fantastic win over Mayo in the qualifiers Longford's minors beat highly fancied Kildare at Pearse Park yesterday.
Longford stretched their lead to four points in the ninth minute when they raised the green flag. Barry McKeon passed to Declan Mimnagh and he made no mistake.Kildare, however, held a one point lead at half-time and were three ahead early in the second-half.
Longford got their second goal of the game in the 49th minute when Declan Mimnagh caught the Kildare keeper off his line, his fisted effort appeared to get a helping hand over the line by defender Barry Egan.
Longford got the vital score nine minutes from time when James McGivney got his side’s third goal. Kildare tried to rally but couldn’t get that elusive goal to win the game.
LONGFORD:P Collum; D Bennet, D Quinn, R Keogh; C Clarke, J McGivney (1-1, one free), S Donoghue; D Gallagher, D Conney; P McCormack, D Cooney (0-1), J Conney; D Mimnagh (1-0), B McKeon (0-2), R Smyth (0-1). Subs: C Lynn for Farrelly for (41mins).
KILDARE:M Donnellan; M Konstantin, J Byrne, J Comerford; T Gibbons, K Feely (0-1), L McGovern (0-5, five frees); P Cocoman, N Kelly; P Fogarty (0-1), C Murphy (0-1), F Dowling (0-4, one free). Subs: F Conway for Cocoman (41mins), C Plunkett for Kelly for (53mins), S Hurley for C Murphy (59mins), T Moolick (0-1).
Referee:B O'Shea (Dublin).
Next Up:Longford now meet Offaly in the decider in Croke Park on July 11th. In Ulster, Armagh will now take on Tyrone in the final on July 18th in Clones. The same day, Mayo and Galway will meet in the Connacht final in Castlebar.
