Jimmy Hyland’s points help Kildare claim minor prize

Kildare 2-15 Longford 1-9

Jimmy Hyland was the stand-out performer with eight points as Kildare secured their second Leinster minor football title success in three seasons.

In the process, the Lillies heaped more misery on Longford who were defeated heavily by the Kildare seniors in the All-Ireland qualifiers on Saturday evening.

There was rarely any doubt about a similar outcome at Croke Park as Kildare led by five at half-time and set the seal on victory with a 1-3 blast early in the second half.

Their reward is an All-Ireland quarter-final clash with the Ulster runners-up early next month while Longford will face the Ulster champions at the same stage.

Kildare flew into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead after just 13 minutes, the goal brilliantly taken by Conor Hartley, and they braved a mini Longford revival to lead 1-6 to 0-4 at half-time.

Their second goal in the 34th minute went a long way towards putting the game beyond Longford.

Rory Feely arrowed in the kick pass and found Ciaran Kelly in space to blast home from 10 yards. In all, Kildare scored 1-3 without reply in seven minutes after the restart to effectively kill off the game with a 2-9 to 0-4 lead.

There was some consolation late on for Longford who conjured a 57th-minute goal through captain Conor Berry who finished with 1-2.

KILDARE: D Campbell; D Lawlor, M Joyce, S Healy; S Doran, S Ryan, R Slattery; D Courtney, R Feely; M Kelly, C Hartley (1-1), B McLoughlin (0-2); C Kelly (1-2, two frees), E O'Donohue (0-1), J Hyland (0-8, one free).

Subs: S Lawlor for Doran (25 mins, black card), K O'Callaghan for M Kelly (49 mins), G Burke for Slattery (51 mins), E O'Neill for McLoughlin (53 mins), A Murphy (0-1, one 45) for C Kelly (55 mins).

LONGFORD: M Hughes; C Lee, R Sheahan, R Moffatt; K Sorohan, M Cahill, C Brady; C Berry (1-2), E Farrell; P Lynn (0-1), D Doherty (0-1), P Hanley; R Hawkins (0-1), C McCabe, J Matthews (0-2, one free).

Subs: L Barry (0-1) for Lee (17 mins), R Harkins for Brady (39 mins), J Heaney for Hawkins (40 mins), R Brady for Doherty (43 mins), C Finnan (0-1) for McCabe (51 mins), N Devlin for Sorohan (56 mins).

Referee: F Smyth (Offaly).