Kildare overcome Westmeath to earn Leinster SFC final return

An attacking masterclass led by goalscorer Jimmy Hyland secured Kildare's return to the Leinster SFC final, the Lilywhites bouncing back following the concession of a goal after just 12 seconds.

Ronan O'Toole gave Westmeath the perfect start with a goal just moments into the provincial semi-final but Hyland's goal after eight minutes put Kildare ahead and they remained in that position until full-time.

Hyland, the star of Kildare's All-Ireland U-20 success in 2018, finished with 1-04 at Croke Park while Ben McCormack and Darragh Kirwan contributed 0-05 each.

Daniel Flynn showed moments of genius too as Kildare marched forward to the 28 May decider.

The 2-15 they conceded will be a concern though with 2-14 of that Westmeath tally coming from open play.

Jack Cooney's Westmeath pushed Kildare hard late on too and the Division 3 outfit scored five of the game's last six points to leave just three in it at the full-time whistle.

Cooney expressed disappointment afterwards that more time wasn't played as he felt Westmeath were in a position to potentially pinch an equalising goal.

It wasn't to be though and they will head now to the Tailteann Cup with hopes of claiming the inaugural title.

The 2004 Leinster champions couldn't have asked for a better start with Ronan Wallace bursting through and hand-passing over the top to set O'Toole free for the opening goal.

It amounted to Kildare starting the game three points down but they quickly got on top and forced Westmeath into a series of mistakes, 1-08 of Kildare's first-half tally of 1-13 coming from turnovers by Cooney's estimation.

Hyland's goal came after a Westmeath kick-out was intercepted by Kevin Flynn, freeing Daniel Flynn to play in Hyland for a routine palmed finish.

Kildare turned