Kildare book a place in O'Byrne Cup semi-finals

Kildare 1-10 Meath 1-08, Newbridge

Meath coughed up a half-time lead at Newbridge as Kieran McGeeney's Kildare side battled hard to book their place in the O'Byrne Cup semi-finals.

The Lilywhites fought back to level the game at 1-08 apiece before late points from Mark O'Sullivan and Ken Donnelly sealed the win.

Three points from Cian Ward, allied to a well-taken goal from Joe Sheridan, had Meath leading by 1-06 to 0-05 at half-time, while Kildare came to terms with midfielder Daryl Flynn's yellow card.

Ward then extended Meath's lead to five points before this already exciting encounter ignited with a a 42nd minute goal from Kildare full-forward Willie Heffernan.

Eoin Reilly kept Meath on course with a point but that proved to be the visitors' final score.

Michael Conway, arguably Kildare's most effective player, burst forward from his left half-back station to score his second point and then efforts from Heffernan and O'Sullivan brought the sides level.

The tide was turning and Meath, who lost David Bray to a yellow card, could not respond as Kildare teed up a semi-final meeting with DCU next Sunday.