Kildare reign as Leinster minor football champions was brought to an end by neighbours Offaly in Newbridge today.
Ken Furlong's side registered a memorable 2-10 to 2-7 success and full-forward Keith O'Neill was instrumental, the Clonbollogue youngster accounting for 1-4 of their final tally.
A blistering first-half performance from the visitors at St Conleth's Park, during which they outscored Kildare by 2-6 to 0-2 in the opening 28 minutes, helped the Faithfuls into their first provincial final in ten years.
Quick-fire goals from Cathal Ryan and O'Neill on 23 and 27 minutes respectively had Offaly ten points clear. Kildare managed to pull one back from Oisin O'Sullivan but still went into the break six points down (2-6 to 1-3).
Offaly kept the foot on the throttle, Cormac Egan and centre back Cathal Ryan hitting over inspirational scores to maintain their six-point cushion midway through the second-half.
O'Sullivan and Ben Fitzsimons responded with points for Kildare before Clane clubman O'Sullivan fired his second goal late on to leave three between the sides but Offaly held firm.
The Faithfuls' reward is a final showdown with Meath who prevailed on a scoreline of 2-10 to 1-7 against Laois at Pairc Tailteann.
The Royals led 2-6 to 0-5 at half-time thanks to goals from Liam Stafford and Alan Bowden after the sides were level on 0-4 each 15 minutes in.
Corner-forward Bowden contributed 1-3 and was an influential figure for John McCarthy's team. Substitute Kieran O'Donnell netted the Laois goal after the break.
Offaly - D Dunican; D Finneran, T Hyland, C Conroy; D Dempsey, C Ryan (1-1), G O’Meara; J Furlong (0-1), H Plunkett; M Dalton, A Egan, P Robbins (0-1); J Guing (0-2, 1f), K O’Neill (1-4, 0-3f), C Egan (0-1). Subs: J Bergin for H Plunkett, D McDaid for T Hyland, S Finneran for M Dalton, S Afolabi Joseph for K O’Neill.
Kildare - C Barker; R Burke, E Byrne, F Tully; H O’Neill, J McKevitt, F O’Giollain; S Farrell, C Lonergan; C Litton, D Swords, J Ledwidge; A Fanning (0-4, 3f), C Grimes, O O’Sullivan (2-2). Subs: L Killian for S Farrell, D Sloane for H O’Neill, C Kehoe for C Grimes, B Fitzsimons (0-1) for J Ledwidge, J McGrath for D Swords.
Referee - D O’Connor.
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