U20 footballers crowned Leinster champions

Fri, 6th March 2020

LEINSTER U20FC FINAL

DUBLIN 0-18 LAOIS 0-8

Dublin secured back-to-back Leinster U20FC titles with this commanding ten-point provincial final victory over Laois at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow on Friday night.

The Dubs were slow starting but a string of seven points in-a-row as the opening half developed put Tom Gray’s side on the road to victory.

The O'Moore County opened well with points from Ronan Coffey (two frees) and keeper Matthew Byron who drove over a massive free from 50 metres.

Dublin needed to get going and wing-back Lee Gannon provided the inspiration with a well struck point from 35 metres.

The Whitehall Colmcille clubman followed up with a second point from play in the tenth minute to reduce the gap.

In between one of Dublin's key players on the night, Kieran McKeon, had a goal effort saved by keeper Byron from close range.

A minute later the Dubs were level when Ciarán Archer slotted over from play, the first of his seven points (including deadball), following good direct play from full-forward Luke Swan.

Byron edged Laois back in front before Dublin took control to reel off seven points without reply.

Dublin improved significantly in the middle third, clean possession and breaking ball, and their forward line got a constant supply of possession.

The Laois defence found the dynamic Mark Lavin difficult to slow down and points flowed form Archer ('45'), Lavin, stylishly slicing over with the outside of his right boot, Seán Foran, Archer again (following a foul on Swan), Loran O'Dell, following good work by Lavin and Swan, and two Archer frees to move 0-10 to 0-4 clear.

When attack-minded corner-back Alan Murphy's goal chance glanced off the Laois crossbar Dublin were in full flow and by the half-time break were 0-11 to 0-5 in front, with Archer closing out the scoring with his second successful '45'.

The O’Moore County enjoyed lots of second half possession but the Dublin defence gave nothing away cheaply as their work-rate, intensity and tackle count kept their opponents at arm’s length.

Laois missed a late penalty when Mark Barry pulled his effort wide of Josh O’Neill’s left hand post.

At a key moment Rory Dwyer broke forward for a crucial early point in the second half after Laois had wrestled back the upperhand while sub Conor Kinsella made an immediate impact on his introduction when scoring to make it 0-14 to 0-7 after 48 minutes.

Kieran McKeon kicked three brilliantly struck, clinical points inside the concluding ten minutes to ensure Dublin did not loosen their control of the game on the scoreboard.

“We came down here expecting a right battle. I know the scoreline looks like we won comfortably, it certainly didn’t feel like that during the course of the 60 minutes,” said Dublin manager Tom Gray afterwards.

“When we reflect on this day we'll be very happy to have won the game but we'll also recognise we'll need to kick on to be a challenge in the semi-final.”

Dublin advance to face the Ulster champions Tyrone in their All-Ireland U20FC semi-final in Croke Park as part of a double-header with the other semi-final (Kerry v Galway) on St Patrick's Day.

SCORERS - Dublin: C Archer 0-7 (0-3f, 0-2 ‘45’), K McKeon 0-4, L Gannon 0-2, M Lavin, S Foran, L O’Dell, R Dwyer, C Kinsella 0-1 each. Laois: R Coffey 0-4 (0-2f), M Byron 0-3 (0-2f, 0-1 ‘45’), J Owens 0-1.

DUBLIN: J O’Neill; A Murphy, A Rafter, J Bannon; R Dwyer, A Waddick, L Gannon; K McGinnis, E Caulfield; M Lavin, L O’Dell, S Foran; C Archer, L Swan, K McKeon. Subs: A Fearon for McGinnis (41), P Purcell for Foran (45), C Kinsella for Bannon (46), S Braiden O’Bryne for O’Dell (55), C Tyrrell for Murphy (61).

LAOIS: M Byron; N Keane, A Mohan, M Dowling; S O’Flynn, G Saunders, Jack Lacey; B Howlin, PJ Daly; D Larkin, J Owens, R Coffey; M Barry, D Galvin, C Slevin. Subs: D Brophy for Howlin (27), S O’Neill for Daly (42), R Bolger for Lacey (47), Josh Lacey for Galvin (51), SM Corcoran for Larkin (55).

REF: P Maguire (Longford).

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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 0-18 Laois 0-8 6.3.2020 Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow

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ROLL OF HONOUR: LEINSTER U21/U20

DUBLIN (16) 1974, 1975, 1980, 1984, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009. 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020
KILDARE (11) 1965, 1966, 1967, 1972, 1976, 1983, 1992, 2004, 2008, 2013, 2018
OFFALY (8) 1968, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1986, 1988, 1995.
MEATH (8) 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001.
LAOIS (8) 1964, 1969, 1982, 1987, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2007.
LOUTH (3) 1970, 1978, 1981.
WESTMEATH (2) 1999,2000.
WEXFORD (1) 2011