Kerry Minors need extra time to beat Roscommon

Kerry 3-15 Roscommon 1-17 (after extra-time)

Kieran Hurley's 76th-minute goal proved decisive as Kerry booked a place in the semi-final of the ESB All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, following a four-point extra-time win against Roscommon at Croke Park today.

In what turned out to be a thrilling encounter the sides were level on seven occasions, including three times in extra-time, as John Kennedy's charges set up a semi-final clash with Armagh at Croke Park on August 23.

A goal in the first minute of injury-time from Roscommon full-forward Cathal Shine sent the game to extra-time, during a titanic struggle.

Kerry led by double scores on a 1-7 to 0-5 scoreline, six minutes into the second half, thanks to a Mark Reen goal.

Roscommon dug deep however and powered back into contention.

The Rossie youngsters slotted over six unanswered points in a terrific 11-minute spell to take a 0-11 to 1-7 lead by the 49th minute.

Scores from Scott Oates, Niall Kilroy (0-2), Shane Leydon, Aaron Feehily and Daniel Qualter powering the westerners into a one-point lead.

Nonetheless, Kerry's first score since the 37th minute was certainly well worth the wait.

After Eanna O'Connor, son of Kerry senior manager Jack O'Connor, failed to get a goal effort past Roscommon goalkeeper Naos Connaughton, the Kingdom persevered.

The Munster champions were eventually rewarded when their captain Niall O'Shea sent a 52nd-minute penalty to the net to regain the lead.

However, Roscommon staged a storming comeback with Shine's three-pointer ensuring extra-time.

It was Kerry substitute Kieran Hurley who was to prove the match-winner in extra-time. He scored 1-1 as his side advanced to the semi-finals.