LEINSTER MFC SEMI-FINAL Kildare 1-8 Meath 0-10: A STRONG second-half performance helped Kildare to a minimum margin victory over holders Meath in the Leinster semi-final at Navan's Páirc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon.

The young Lilywhites recovered from missing a penalty just before the break when the home side held a 0-5 to 0-2 advantage. Darrock Mulhall hit an upright with the kick but made amends with a contribution of 1-4 in the second period.

Meath started very brightly with points from Seán Tobin (free and 45), Harrison Silke and Pádraig McKeever in the opening nine minutes. It took Kildare 19 minutes to get their first score, Paul Cribben putting them on the board.

Six minutes after the restart Meath’s lead had been increased to five points with substitute Mark O’Sullivan making an impact with two points. However, 1-4 in eight minutes, the goal being netted following a Mulhall solo run at the end of the third quarter, proved crucial.

Although only adding a Mulhall converted free in the last quarter, Kildare held on as their opponents squandered a couple of late chances to force extra-time.

KILDARE: M Donnellan; K Corrigan, S Dowling, P Cullen; C O'Shea, J Byrne, E Doyle; T Moolick, J Comerford; P Cocoman, P Cribben (0-1), S Hurley; D Mulhall (1-5, 0-2 frees), P Fogarty (0-1), C Reynolds (0-1). Subs: J McAndrew for Hurley (37 mins), B Daly for Cocoman (52 mins), C Bolton for Fogarty (60 mins).

MEATH: C McHugh; G Kennedy, C Lenehan, D Coyle; M McCormack, B Menton, K Mallon; D Carroll, A Mahon (0-1); C Devereaux, P McKeever (0-1), E Boyle (0-1); S Tobin (0-4, two frees, one 45), H Silke (0-1), L Tolan. Subs: M O'Sullivan (0-2)for Tolan (25 mins), D Keoghan for Coyle (47 mins), D Larkin for McKeever (51 mins), T Rahill for Mallon (53 mins).

Referee: B O'Shea(Dublin).