U20 footballer ready for tough test in Leinster final against Laois

Dublin U20 football manager Tom Gray knows his side will have to be at their best in Friday's EirGrid Leinster U20FC final against Laois in Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow (7.30).

The sides also met in last year's provincial final at this grade with Dublin emerging victorious.

The O'Moore County have several players who featured in that game - seven starters and two others who were introduced off the bench.

Two of those players, Seán O'Flynn and Mark Barry, have been regulars with their senior footballers in this year's league run.

Conversely Dublin have very few players eligible this year who were involved in last year's campaign that saw the Dubs reach the All-Ireland decider, where they were beaten by Cork.

Dublin defeated Meath in their semi-final, 2-14 to 0-7, with the goals coming from Luke Swan and Lorcan O'Dell, while Laois overcame Kildare (1-7 to 0-4).

“I would be very mindful of reading too much into our win against Meath," said Dublin manager Tom Gray.

“We played well on the day and there were certain things that we were happy with but you have to be measure our performance against that of the opposition.

“Meath just didn’t play anywhere to their potential and were hugely disappointed with how they performed so that 60 minutes just wasn’t representative of them as a team. It was a good win for us and we were pleased to advance to the final but we know that Friday night will be a far tougher assignment.

“Laois have had a very good campaign and I was very impressed with their organisation and performance in their semi-final win against Kildare.

“We may well have beaten them in last year’s final but the final winning margin of 13 points was in no way reflective of how close the teams were on the night.

“In terms of possession, the contest was quite even but we just happened to be very efficient in front of goal that night and got goals at the right time that helped us pull away,” added Tom.

“Laois are are a very strong outfit and we are under no illusions as to how hard next Friday is going to be.

“We have been performing steadily over the past few weeks and we are pleased to be in the position that we are but there is still a significant amount of scope for improvement in our play.

“The games at this level come thick and fast so it can be difficult to make massive changes in terms of tactics between games although we have had an extra week to prepare for the final,” added Tom.

“We have been fortunate enough not to have had many injuries affecting our preparations apart from ones which have prevented the likes of Brian O’Leary, Seán Lowry and Mark O’Leary from appearing for us to date."

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2020 EirGrid LEINSTER U20FC

First Round 1 Wicklow 1-7 Dublin 1-17; 8.2.2020 Aughrim
Quarter-final 2 Dublin 3-10 Longford 0-9; 15.2.2020 Parnell Park
First Round 3 Carlow 2-9 Wexford 3-8; 7.2.2020 St Patrick's Park, Enniscorthy
Quarter-final 4 Wexford 1-5 Meath 1-12; 15.2.2020 St Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy
First Round 5 Louth 0-9 Offaly 2-6; 8.2.2020 Dunleer–Lanneire GAA
Quarter-final 6 Offaly 0-9 Kildare 1-7; 15.2.2020 St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge
Quarter-final (rescheduled) 7 Laois 0-13 Westmeath 1-10 (Laois won 4-3 on pens, after extra-time); 17.2.2020 O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
Semi Finals
8 Dublin 2-14 Meath 0-7 22.2.2020 Parnell Park
9 Laois 1-7 Kildare 0-4 21.2.2020 O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
Final Dublin v Laois 6.3.2020 Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow 7.30