Mount Leinster Rangers (Carlow) 1-17 Naas (Kildare) 2-17
Naas advanced to the Leinster senior hurling club semi-finals when they ground out a hard-earned but deserved victory over the Carlow champions.
Mount Leinster Rangers started well in their county ground, with Chris Nolan posting two points.
Donagh Murphy and Fitzpatrick also raised white flags for the home side before Jack Sheridan converted a free for the Kildare visitors. The full-forward was the main scorer for Naas in the opening half but he had plenty of support all round him with the Lilywhites always looking dangerous.
On two occasions, Rangers led by four points but they were reeled in when Charlie Sheridan was on the end of a simple passing move. His finish was precise, finding the bottom left-hand corner of the net on 22 minutes.
That strike made it 1-08 to 0-11 at the break.
The eventual winners re-started best and could have had an early goal as Rangers keeper Frank Foley denied Jack Sheridan at the right-hand post. However, points from Killian Harrington and Jack Sheridan eased them into the lead.
A second major looked on the cards and Sheridan finally beat Foley from close range on 41 minutes.
Rangers then suffered a hammer blow when Chris Nolan picked up a second yellow card, at the end of the third quarter. But to their credit, the home side dug deep and came again, moving Kevin McDonald from a central defensive role into the full-forward line and finishing strongly.
When Donagh Murphy hit the woodwork, the sliotar came back into play and McDonald was on hand to finish first-time from close range.
That left only a point between the sides but Naas dug deep and were rewarded with Simon Leacy landing a vital point from a narrow angle on the right. His second in quick succession was not as difficult a shot but it meant Rangers needed a goal to save the day.
That never looked like coming as Naas saw out the game without mishap, and they will face Wexford champions St Martin's, who dethroned All-Ireland holders Na Fianna, in the last four in a fortnight's time.
NAAS: Cormac Gallagher; Liam O’Reilly, Ross Kelly, Peter O’Donoghue; Harry Carroll, Daire Guerin, Charlie Sheridan (1-00); Rian Boran, Evan O’Brian; Simon Leacy (0-04), Brian Byrne (0-02), Killian Harrington (0-01); Ferran O’Sullivan (0-01), Jack Sheridan (1-08 4fs), Cathal Dowling.
Subs: Cian Boran (0-01) for O’Sullivan (38).
MOUNT LEINSTER RANGERS: Frank Foley; Michael Doyle, Michael Joyce, Sean Joyce; Richard Coady, Kevin McDonald (1-04 sl 3fs), Evan Kealy; Fiachra Fitzpatrick (0-01), Conaill Fitzpatrick; Ruairi Murphy (0-01), Jon Nolan (0-3), Donagh Murphy (0-01); Ted Joyce, Diarmuid Byrne, Chris Nolan (0-07 65 4fs).
Subs: Tim Brennan for Coady (34), Joe Dundon for R Murphy (44), Dean Tobin for Byrne (52), Paul Coady for T Joyce (54).
Referee: Eamon Furlong (Wexford)
