U20 footballers set for Leinster semi-final with Wexford

Mon, 8th July 2019

Dublin's under-20 footballers return to action in Tuesday night's EirGrid Leinster U20FC semi-final against Wexford in Parnell Park (7.30).

The Dubs defeated Longford (4-21 to 0-7) in their provincial quarter-final last Tuesday night in Glennon Bros Pearse Park, Longford while Wexford saw off a Louth comeback (3-10 to 0-16) in their quarter-final in Drogheda's Gaelic Grounds.

While Dublin won in pillar to post fashion it took an injury-time penalty from Wexford's Jamie Myler (his second goal of the game) to defeat Louth after the Wee County had battled back from ten points in arrears to get level.

The other provincial semi-final pits Laois against Meath in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise (7.30).

Dublin started with intent in their clash with Longford and by the interval the outcome was in little doubt as they held a 1-15 to 0-2 lead.

Ciaran Archer, who finished with a personal tally of 2-8 (0-5f, 1-0 pen) got Dublin's opening three scores (including two frees).

Dublin continued to hold the upperhand with further points from Ross McGarry, following a Brian O'Leary pass, and Archer again following a great long ball by James Doran.

McGarry's second point, after a purposeful surge from defence by Eoin O'Dea as he combined with fellow corner-back Darren Maher, made it 0-6 to 0-0 after just nine minutes.

Dublin's first of their four goals arrived in the 11th minute when a long free into the danger zone saw Archer break the ball for himself and he rifle to the net.

From the resulting Longford kickout Dublin's work-rate turned over Longford leading to a Karl Lynch Bissett point to make it 1-7 to 0-0.

A minute later Archer hit the butt of the upright with the goal at this mercy but a McGarry point extended Dublin's advantage.

Two Oran Kenny frees, Longford's only scores of the first half, stalled Dublin's scoring surge only momentarily before Archer and Brian O'Leary shared four points, O'Leary's second point after good approach play by Sean Lambe.

Before the interval Dublin had tagged on three further scores to lead by 16 points at the break (1-15 to 0-2).

Immediately on the restart Dublin broke forward for James Doran to score his second point and within seconds Karl Lynch Bissett blazed a goal attempt just wide of the far post.

Dublin's next two scores were both goal with half-time sub Harry Ladd applying the finishing touch after Brian O'Leary's original goal effort was well save by Longford keeper Patrick Murray.

Brian O'Leary was fouled in the 38th minute for a penalty which Ciaran Archer tucked away and Dublin were 3-16 to 0-2 clear.

Points from Archer (free), Ladd and a long-range effort from fellow sub Mark Lavin made it 3-19 to 0-2 and in between Ladd was denied by the post with a shot on goal.

Three minutes from the end of normal time David Lacey was in the right spot to palm to the net, for Dublin's fourth goal, after a Ciaran Archer shot from a tight angle slide along the crossbar and rebounded across the face of the goal off the far upright.

2019 EirGrid LEINSTER U20FC: Fixtures/Results

1. Kildare 1-11 Laois 0-17, 25.6.2019; St Conleth's Park, Newbridge

2. Laois 2-20 Westmeath 0-20 (aet), 2.7.2019; TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar

3. Carlow 2-4 Offaly 3-22, 22.6.2019; Netwatch Cullen Park

4. Meath 1-12 Offaly 0-12, 2.7.2019; Páirc Tailteann, Navan

5. Wexford 1-14 Wicklow 2-7, 22.6.2019; Bellefield, Enniscorthy

6. Louth 0-16 Wexford 3-10, 2.7.2019; Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda

7. Longford 0-7 Dublin 4-21, 2.7.2019; Glennon Bros Pearse Park

8. Laois v Meath, 9.7.2019, 7.30; O’Moore Park, Portlaoise

9. Dublin v Wexford, 9.7.2019, 7.30; Parnell Park

10. 8 v 9 19.7.2019 7.30