KILDARE SFC SEMI-FINALS:EOGHAN O'FLAHERTY registered 10 points as Carbury sent last year's winners, Athy, packing to join Sarsfields in the final. It was sweet revenge for Stephen Darby's charges, who were Athy's victims in last year's decider.

Their opponents didn’t relinquish their crown without a fight though, and having trailed by nine points in the second half, scored six on the trot but Carbury saw the game out by 0-15 to 0-12.

The sides were very evenly matched early on but after getting to 20 minutes on 0-4 apiece, it was Carbury who put their foot on the accelerator to score the next four and lead by 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time.

O’Flaherty had six on the board by the interval and he continued to impress from both placed balls and play as the Offaly-border outfit added five points in six minutes after the resumption. Athy dug deep though and with Darroch Mulhall amongst the scorers, kicked the next six points to trail by just three with 10 minutes remaining. Willie Groome stopped the rot though and Carbury were able to see out the game.

Sarsfields came out on top of a nailbiting clash with St Laurence’s on a 1-11 to 1-9 scoreline. Goalkeeper Paddy O’Sullivan was called upon in the second minute when Gary White fouled Shaun Fahey to concede a penalty. Fahey took the kick but O’Sullivan made the save. Pádraig Fogarty started brilliantly for the Larries with three excellent points but Sarsfields were level at half time.

Alan Smith pounced for a Sarsfields goal in the 39th minute but Ronnie Lawler responded in kind five minutes later to edge Laurence’s in front once more.Sarsfields finished the strongest and points from Smith and Ray Cahill secured their final position.