Meath advanced to the semi final of the All Ireland Minor B hurling championship with a one point win over Kildare at Lomans Park Trim.

Meath 0-14 Kildare 2-7

Meath dominated the first half and led by 9 points to 4 at half time. Their scorer in chief was captain Charlie Bird with 5 frees and with Luke Moran they dominated the midfield exchanges with the latter soring a point in the 20th minute. Alex Walsh opened the scoring in 2nd minute but Kildare's Eoin O'Heir levelled from a free. Two Bird frees settled Meath and Luke Martyn put them three clear on 13 minutes but Conor Dowling pointed from play  and centre back Odhran Loughran sent over a free from his own half to leave it Meath 0-4 Kildare 0-3 on the quarter hour. Meath pushed on in the second quarter and three further frees from Charlie Bird and further points from Moran and Carey left Meath ahead by six as half time approached. Eoin O'Heir's point in the 28th minute left the half time score, Meath 0-9 Kildare 0-4.

Meath young guns fought a tremendous second half to hold off Kildare in Trim following the dismissal of team captain, Charlie Bird, in the early seconds of the second half for a second yellow card. Kildare's Eoin O'Heir scored the subsequent free to leave the visitors trailing by 4 points, Meath 0-9 Kildare 0-5 but the home side showed considerable enterprise and denied their opponents a score until 47th minute. Points by Liam Carey from a free and great efforts from Ronan Ryan and half back Jack Payne left the hosts seven clear but in the 47th minute midfielder, Niall Kenny now operating at full forward goaled to give the lilywhites hope and when Tadgh Forde hit another major four minutes later the pendulum seemed to swing towards the visitors but Ronan Ryan put Meath two clear in the 53rd minute, Kildare's Eoin O'Heir narrowed it to a single point but Ross Ryan replied instantly. In the 25th minute Conor Dowling pointed for Kildare to leave the score Meath 0-14 Kildare 2-7 and a grandstand finish was assured. Meath nerves were further frayed a two scorable frees were missed but their defence held firm and after 1 minute of injury time it finished Meath 0-14 Kildare 2-7.
 
Meath dominated the first half and led by 9 points to 4 at half time. Their scorer in chief was captain Charlie Bird with 5 frees and with Luke Moran they dominated the midfield exchanges with the latter soring a point in the 20th minute. Alex Walsh opened the scoring in 2nd minute bot Kildare's O'Heir levelled from a free but two Bird frees had Meath settled Meath and Luke Martyn put them three clear on 13 minutes but Conor Dowling pointed from play  and centre back Odhran Loughran sent over a free from his own half to leave it Meath 0-4 Kildare 0-3 on the quarter hour. Meath pushed on in the second quarter and three further frees from Charlie Bird and further points from Moran and Carey left Meath ahead by six as half time approached. Eoin O'Heir's point in the 28th minute left the half time score, Meath 0-9 Kildare 0-4.
 
Meath: Aaron McGee, Trim, Jack Bird, Boardsmill, Luke Swaine, Clann na nGael, Jamie Hackett, Trim, Jack Payne (0-1), Rathmolyon, Conor Dempsey, Dunderry, Kyle Dixon, Boardsmill, Luke Moran (0-1), Trim, Charlie Bird (0-5 fs) (C), Boardsmill, Liam Carey (0-2, 1 f), Drumree, Ronan Ryan (0-2), Kiltale, Luke Martyn (0-1), Dunderry, Mark Slevin, Na Fianna, Ross Ryan (0-1), Kiltale, Alex Walsh (0-1), Dunderry. Subs: Martin Healy, Kildalkey for Slevin (38 m) & Josh Wall, Drumree for Carey (43 m)

Kildare: Jack Sheridan, Oisin McKenna, Kieran Maher (C), Conor Gormley, Frank Bass, Odhran Loughran (0-1 f), Conor Gordon, Cathal Dervan, Niall Kenny (1-0), Michael Gainey, Eoin O'Heir (0-4 fs), Barry Cormack, Tadgh Forde (1-0), Conor Dowling (0-2), Richie Fleming.

Referee: Gearoid McGrath (Dublin) Tweet

Most Read Stories