Kildare are the EirGrid Leinster U-20 championship champions after a convincing 1-15 to 0-9 victory over Dublin at O’Connor Park, Tullamore.
Dublin had won the last four titles in its previous under 21 format and had started brightly, running up a 0-5 to 0-3 lead with St. Oliver Plunkett's club man Sean Bugler landing two great scores.
Sean Bugler with a clever sidestep & neat finish for a @DubGAAOfficial point pic.twitter.com/AEH7AuWtUu
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 6, 2018
However, Kildare roared back into the game and scored the next seven scores to lead 0-10 to 0-5 at the break. Davy Burke's side were clinical with possession and the ever-showing full-forward Brian McLoughlin ensured they had a constant target in the inside line.
Brian McLoughlin of @KildareGAA with a brilliant point from an acute angle pic.twitter.com/bH3d4yiMCg
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 6, 2018
They continued strongly after the break as they relentlessly ran at the Dublin defence.
Padraig Nash with a sublime solo run & score for @KildareGAA pic.twitter.com/S6aCy4GSV2
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 6, 2018
Jimmy Hyland, who was the star performer three years ago when Kildare won the minor Leinster championship, was once again to the fore and hit 0-9 which included an exhibition from the placed ball.
In the end, it never looked in doubt and Tony Archbold scored a late penalty to secure a deserved win.
Eirgrid Leinster U20
Championship Final
Kildare 1-15
Dublin 0-9
Full Time
Kildare make history & win the first ever Eirgrid Leinster U20 Championship.
A brilliant peformance, huge congratulations to the team & management #LeinsterChampions— Kildare GAA (@KildareGAA) July 6, 2018
For Dublin, their championship is now over and centre-forward James Madden can now turn attention towards his future amidst reports that he received several offers from AFL clubs to play in Australia.
