U21 hurlers book semi berth against Wexford

DUBLIN 1-10 KILDARE 1-3

Dublin under-21 hurlers progressed to the semi-final of the Leinster U21HC without setting the world alight in this quarter-final at Clane on Tuesday night.  The Dubs will face Wexford in the provincial semi-final (June 10, Parnell Park) and will have plenty to work and improve on from this lack lustre display.

With the advantage of a very strong wind Dublin took a long time to settle and could have found themselves a goal down inside the opening minute but keeper Finn McGarry pulled off a great penalty save to deny Martin Fitzgerald.  Points from Darren Whelan (free) in the fourth minute and further scores from Emmet McCabe and a stylish effort from wing-back Ronan Walsh had Dublin 0-3 to 0-0 in front after 18 minutes with Oisín Gough the pick of the defence.  Eight minutes before the break David Treacy shot over when under pressure from two Kildare defenders but it was not until the last five minutes of the opening half that the Dubs gave themselves a half-time cushion.  Points from Whelan (65), McCabe, following a good fetch and handpass from Paul Schutte, and fine effort from Liam Rushe when he showed great control had the Dubs 0-7 to 0-0 in front at the break.

Dublin introduced Mick May into the defence after the break and sacrificed wing-forward Whelan and the Lucan lad positioned himself astutely on the restart to cut out some promising Kildare deliveries.  Points from McCabe (free) and Treacy helped to dampen Lily optimism after Leo Quinn had fired over for the hosts only 25 seconds after the restart.  Just before the midpoint of the second half Kildare full-forward Johnny Meehan got his stick to a long delivery from Martin Fitzgerald to goal from Kildare which reduced the lead to six points, 0-10 to 1-1.  But two minutes from time sub Kevin Warren showed good bravery to attack the sliotar and apply the finish to the net from an Aidan Roche cross after Rushe had fetched a great ball around midfield.

Kilmacud Crokes were represented by Rory O’Carroll, Ronan Walsh, Conor Clinton and substitute Barry O’Rorke

SCORERS - Dublin: E McCabe 0-3 (0-1f), K Warren 1-0, D Whelan (0-1f, 0-1 65), D Treacy 0-2, R Walsh, L Rushe, S Lambert (0-1f) 0-1 each. Kildare: J Meehan 1-0, L Quinn, M Fitzgerald, P Fitzgerald (0-1 65) 0-1 each.
DUBLIN - F McGarry; G Kelly, E Walsh, O Gough; P Schutte, R O’Carroll, R Walsh; S Lambert, C Clinton; L Rushe, D Kelly, D Whelan; E McCabe, D Treacy, A McInerney. Subs: P Garbutt for McInerney (28), M May for Whelan (ht), A Roche for McCabe (48), K Warren for D Kelly (53), M Cussen for Schutte (57).
KILDARE - S Whelan; P Curtin, E O’Neill, C Chan; F Byrne, N O Muineachain, J O Malley; J Houlihan, D Heffernan; L Quinn, T Byrne, M Fitzgerald; B Ahern, J Meehan, P Fitzgerald. Subs: G Sunderland for Heffernan (55), C Kenny for Ahern (57).
REF - J Kelly (Wexford).