Longford 0-11 Dublin 2-21
Dublin U20s got off to best possible start of the inaugural Leinster U20 championship with an emphatic 16 point group victory away to Longford at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Dan O’Brien, the only survivor of the Dublin side that won an All-Ireland U21 last season to start was hugely impressive all evening, his elusive running style was too hot for Longford to handle. The Kilmacud Crokes forward finished with 1-9 from play.
Despite a bright start, the hosts couldn’t feed off the feel good factor around the county after their senior side dumped Meath out in the same venue yesterday. Thomas McGann struck four first half free’s to keep Longford in touch, but two goals just before the tenth minute from Tom Keane and O’Brien sent Dublin on their way.
David O’Hanlon’s quick restarts were key to the young dubs success. What makes O’Hanlon’s performance all the more impressive is the fact he is keeping senior panelist Evan Comerford out of the side. Half time score 2-11 to 0-8.
Full court press around the middle in the second half from the formidable midfield pairing of Donal Ryan and Eoghan Fitzpatrick aided by James Madden who is on the radar of numerous AFL clubs pinned Longford back and gave the Dublin platform for their forwards to thrive-all of them getting on the scoresheet and O’Brien in particular, rampant.
Dublin: David O’Hanlon; Nathan Nolan, Nathan Doran, Ciaran Smith; Kieran Kennedy, Neil Matthews, Eoin O’Dea; Donal Ryan, Eoghan Fitzpatrick; Sean Bugler (0-03), Dan O’Brien(1-09), James Madden(0-01); James Doran (0-01), Cormac Howley (0-3), Tom Keane (1-01).
Subs Used: Conor Hynes for T Keane (36 mins), James Holland for E Fitzpatrick (48 mins), Michael Mullin for K Kennedy (52 mins), Ciaran Archer (0-03, 0-01f 0-0145) for C Howley (55mins), Karl Lynch Bissett for J Madden (58mins) Sean Farrelly for E O’Dea (61 mins)
Longford: Conor Gallagher; Kian Gilmore, Gerard Flynn, Mark McCormack; Cillian Lee, Michael Cahill, Shane Farrell (0-01); Enda Farrell, Cian McElligott; Iarla O’Sullivan (0-01), Peter Lynn (0-01), Niall Farrelly; Alan McKeon (0-01, 0-01f),Thomas McGann, (0-05, 0-05f) Rory Hawkins (0-01).
Subs Used: Daire Duggan for M Cahill (HT), Ruairi Harkin (0-01)for I O’Sullivan (38 mins), Ryan McHugh for C McElligott(46 mins) Shane Campbell for M McCormack (48 mins), Ros Claffey for E Farrell (55 mins), Aaron McGee for R Hawkins (60mins).
Referee: Niall Ward (Westmeath)
Westmeath 2-12 Wexford 1-12
In Cusack Park in Mullingar, Westmeath survived a spirited fightback from the visitors to hold on for a three point win over Wexford.
Westmeath led by eight points at the break and added a goal early in the second half through James Maxwell to leave the score at 2-10 to 1-02.
However, the hosts lost the remainder of the game by 0-10 to 0-02 and were clinging on at the end. Wexford couldn't get the second goal which might have made for a more thrilling finale.
Kildare 1-17 Laois 4-06
Kildare's U20s salvaged something from a traumatic week for the county's footballers by coming from eight points down with under 20 minutes remaining to register a two-point win over Laois in Newbridge.
The hosts trailed 4-04 to 0-08 after 41 minutes and appeared to be heading for the championship exit doors.
However, with Brian McLoughlin and Jimmy Hyland to the fore, they rattled off a series of points to haul themselves back into the contest.
Jimmy Hyland's 46th goal reduced the arrears to two points and they powered home from there.
Eirgrid Leinster U20 Championship
— Kildare GAA (@KildareGAA) May 28, 2018
Round 1
Kildare 1-17
Laois 4-6
Full Time
Great comeback in the second half, well done to the team & management #KildareGAA pic.twitter.com/fghIQmsVR4
Wicklow 1-09 Meath 6-16
Meath's U20s coasted to a facile victory over Wicklow in Joule Park in Aughrim this evening, hitting six goals overall and running out 22-point winners.
Brian Farrell's team has established an unassailable 4-08 to 1-04 lead at the interval with wing back Sean Reilly hitting two goals with Sean Ryan and Conor Moriarty chipping in with the others.
Darragh Campion hit the net in the closing stages and Frank O'Reilly added a sixth from the penalty spot in the game's final act.
Carlow 1-10 Offaly 2-19
Carlow's U20s proved unable to replicate the headline grabbing exploits of their senior side as they fell to a 12-point defeat to Offaly in Netwatch Dr. Cullen Park.
Shane O'Brien struck a goal early for the visitors and they led by seven points at the break.
The highly rated Cian Johnson, who scored freely all evening, added a second goal from the penalty spot late on.
