Jimmy Lynch stars as Kildare edge Meath to reach Leinster U2O final

Kildare's Jimmy Lynch is tackled. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane.

Leinster U-20 football championship semi-final: Kildare 1-20 Meath 2-15

Jimmy Lynch provided the inspiration with 1-8 in Newbridge as Kildare secured their first Dalata Hotel Group Leinster U-20 final spot in three years.

The classy Clogherinkoe attacker was the difference on the evening as Niall Cronin's crew overcame a slow start to see off last year's finalists.

There were strong contributions too from Liam Kenny and Colm Moran while Kildare edged the vital midfield battle on their way to a final clash with holders Louth.

There was drama late on as Kildare, leading by four points with five minutes to go, coughed up a two-pointer and then a single to powerful Meath forward Cian Commons.

But the visitors couldn't get any closer than a point to Kildare whose ability to get scores that little bit easier on the evening ultimately won it for them.

Cathal Ó Bric's Meath needed just 13 minutes to make it a neat dozen goals for the Championship when Colin Scanlon found the net.

Paul Hennessy delivered the high ball in and centre-back Scanlon rose highest to redirect the ball over the line.

Meath led by 1-4 to 0-2 at that stage and couldn't haven't asked for a better opening quarter.

But they only added three more points for the half as Kildare, playing with the breeze, came alive in the second quarter.

They had a potent attacker in Lynch, who sniped 0-6 in the opening half, as well as Kenny and Daniel Colbert.

Kildare finished the half with four points in a row, from Evan Boyle, Kenny, Colbert and Lynch, to lead 0-12 to 1-7.

They won the third quarter as well thanks in the main to Lynch's 40th minute goal from a penalty after a foul on Calum Keaveny.

With 47 minutes on the clock, Kildare were 1-16 to 2-8 up, Cormac O'Donoghue's goal for Meath just about keeping them in the contest.

Commons did his best to reel in Kildare late on but it would have been a smash and grab and late Lilies points from Moran and Lynch propelled them through.

Scorers for Kildare: J Lynch 1-8 (1-0 pen, 1tp, 2 fs, 1 45); L Kenny, C Moran 0-3 each; D Colbert 0-2; L Kelly, E Boyle, R Kelly (1f), R Lawlor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Meath: J Harkin 0-6 (2tpf, 2fs); C O'Donoghue, C Scanlon 1-1 each; C Commons 0-4 (1tp); B Corkery, S Cahill 0-1 each.

Kildare: C Carroll; B Ryan, F Dowling, S Gallagher; C McKevitt, L Kelly, Calum Keaveny; E Boyle, R Lawlor; D Colbert, C Moran, J Lynch; L Kenny, E Cowzer, R Kelly.

Subs: H Redmond for Keaveny & L Murray for Cowzer (47); R Murray for Kenny (51); Cian Keaveny for Lynch (63).

Meath: F Moore; C Yore, S Jordan, S Callaghan; C Smith, C Scanlon, K O'Brien; M McIvor, P Hennessy; E McCrudden, J Harkin, S Cahill; B Corkery, C Commons, C O'Donoghue.

Subs: A Ducie for McIvor (37); S Delaney for McCrudden (41); C O'Hare for O'Brien (47); P Crawley for Corkery (52); E Kelly for Scanlon (56).

Referee: J Foley (Carlow).