LEINSTER MFC QUARTER-FINALS: Kildare 2-16 Louth 2-8:KILDARE HAD to withstand a second-half rally from Louth before booking a semi-final clash with Dublin thanks to this eight-point victory at St Conleth's Park.

Outstanding Kildare captain, Paddy Brophy struck for goals in the ninth and 15th minutes as the hosts kicked 2-4 without reply to lead at half-time by 2-11 to 0-4.

Louth reduced the deficit to five points with 12 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Cian Doyle and Stephen Kilcoyne. With the game in the melting pot, Kildare finished the strongest with two exceptional points from Niall Kelly and a Wayne Fitzpatrick free.

KILDARE: C Heaney; P Mescall, S O'Hagan, T O'Connell; R Houlihan (0-1), D Hyland, D Duke; M Sherry, P Connell; S O'Flynn (0-2), N Kelly (0-4), C Healy; W Fitzpatrick (0-3, frees), P Brophy (2-3), N Flynn (0-3, 0-1 free). Subs: K Mulhall for O'Hagan (inj, 28 mins); S Christiansen for Connell (48 mins); R Fitzgibbon for O'Flynn (50 mins); M Kelly for Flynn (60 mins).

LOUTH: S McQuillan; T McCann, K Lenehan, C Ward; E Lafferty, D McMahon, D Marks (0-1); C Grimes, C Cooney; W Campbell, J Stewart, K Murphy; C Doyle (1-1, 0-1 free), R Quigley (0-3, 0-1 free), S Kilcoyne (1-3). Subs: J Arrowsmith for Murray (21 mins); M Newell for Campbell (35 mins); S Matthews for Cooney (56 mins).

Referee:A Nolan (Wicklow).