Eoin Cully and Ben Loakman played a key role on their Leinster Championship debuts and they contributed 1-7

After last week's win over Offaly, Laois arrived  for their first Championship game against Kildare in Newbridge since 1984 in good spirits.

and they caused plenty of problems during the early exchanges.

After going into a 0-2 to 0-1 lead, Kildare found some form with Darragh Kirwan (2) andTommy Gill giving Kildare a 0-5 to 0-3 lead.

The game swung back in Laois' favour heading into the last 15 minutes of the half.

Veteran Paul Kingston scored a point and then following a poor kick, he goaled.

Kingston added a further point a minute later and suddenly Laois were 1-5 to 0-5 ahead.

Cully, Darragh Swords and Cully again pointed for KIldare to reopen a three point lead but that was wiped out  when Daragh Galvin palmed into the Kildare net in the 26th minute after his initial shot was well saved.

Kildare found a goal of their own two minutes later. Brian McLoughlin found Cully inside and he burst past Jack Lacey. He was unfortunate to see his shot crash off the underside of the bar but Loakman was on hand to turn the rebound into the empty net to level the game at 1-8 to 2-5.

A two pointer by Darragh Kirwan gave Kildare the lead once again but O’Carroll and Kingston tied the game once more.

It had been a tremendously entertaining first half but the biggest flash point arrived in the final minute of play. Darragh Swords’ run was halted in the square by Alex Mohan and a penalty was awarded. Loakman’s effort smashed off the crossbar and the hooter sounded almost immediately for half time.

Kildare took charge in the second half and scored the first five points after the restart in the opening 15 minutes.

Ben McCormack made a huge impact off the bench and finished with four points, while Daragh Kirwan ensured the win with a 63rd-minute goal.

Kildare were nine ahead going into the last five but  Laois pulled back three points and it could have been a nervy ending had O’Carroll’s 68th minute shot hit the net, but centre fielder Brendan Gibbons made a goalline block

Kildare will play Westmeath in the semi final in Tullamore on Sunday May 3rd

Kildare: Cian Burke; Brian Byrne, Mark Dempsley, Ryan Burke; James McGrath, Eoin Lawlor, Tommy Gill 0-2; Brian McLoughlin, Brendan Gibbons; Daragh Ryan, Darragh Swords 0-2, Callum Bolton; Ben Loakman 1-0 (1f), Darragh Kirwan 1-04 (1tp), Eoin Cully 0-5.

Subs: Colm Moran for Lawlor, 29-32 (b/s); Kevin Feely 0-1 for Ryan, h/t; Ben McCormack 0-4 for Loakman, 50; Colm Moran for McLoughlin, 56; Neil Flynn for Bolton, 65; James Harris for James McGrath, 68.

Laois: Killian Roche 0-2 (1tpf, 1 45); Jack Lacey, Trevor Collins, Alex Mohan; Paul Kingston 1-3 (1f), Aaron McEvoy, Robert Tyrrell; Ciaran Burke, Conor Heffernan; Kevin Swayne 0-01, Ronan Coffey 0-1, Patrick O'Sullivan 0-1, Brian Byrne, Daragh Galvin 1-2, Evan O'Carroll 0-3.

Subs: Ben Dempsey for Lacey, 30; Pa Kirwan for McEvoy, h/t; Rioghan Murphy for Byrne, 49; Cian Nolan 0-01 for Tyrrell, 65; Darren Brennan for Coffey, 68.