Kerry 2-12 Kildare 0-11: Kerry claimed their first All-Ireland under-21 football title in a decade by overcoming Kildare 2-12 to 0-11 in Thurles last night.
Mike O'Donoghue was in inspired form and his two goals were the difference between the sides. Man-of-the-match Kieran O'Leary was instrumental in the performance as he created both goal-scoring opportunities.
"The effort that was put in was absolutely admirable," said a delighted O'Leary said afterwards. The wing forward also heaped praise on the manager Sean Geaney.
"Sean is an inspirational manager and he had us well prepared for this game. We knew we were up against it. Kildare are a fine side, but thankfully we got the job done."
Senior star and Kingdom team captain Killian Young added: "This is a fantastic competition to be involved in. It got a reprieve two years ago and we're delighted that it did."
Although they won comfortably in the end, the Munster champions didn't have it all their own way. In the early stages Eoin O'Flairheartaigh claimed two points to put the Lilywhites 0-3 to 0-1 ahead.
Alan Smith and Tommy Walsh responded with further points for Kerry before O'Donoghue fired home a goal in the 14th minute.
Kildare struggled to make in roads and were scoreless for large periods before Mark Waters and Alan Smith narrowed the gap to leave Kerry 1-5 to 0-6 ahead at the break.
Paul O'Connor and David Moran fired Kerry further ahead after the restart but Kildare stuck to the task and finally responded through Gavin Smullen.
However, as Kerry upped the ante it was only a matter of time before they made another breakthrough. And it came in the 41st minute when O'Donoghue scored his second goal of the game.