U20 footballers set out on Leinster road

Wed, 5th February 2020

Dublin's U20 footballers face Wicklow this Saturday in the Leinster U20FC (2.0) at Joule Park, Aughrim.

The Dubs are the reigning provincial champions but have very few players who were involved in last year's panel that was eventually beaten by Cork in the All-Ireland final.

Dublin and Wicklow have met at minor (U17) level in the past two years with the Garden County prevailing 2-6 to 0-8 in the 2018 Leinster MFC in Parnell Park while last year Dublin won out 0-20 to 1-9 in Aughrim.

Current Wicklow U20 manager Kevin O'Brien was in charge for both of those championship campaigns.

Dublin, who are managed by Tom Gray, participated in the John Kerins U20 Football Development League in preparation for the Championship where they played Meath (lost), Kildare (drew) and Laois (win).

The boys in blue concluded their John Kerins U20 Football Development League on a winning note when defeating Laois 2-10 to 1-10 in the Laois Centre of Excellence, Portlaoise.

Dublin trailed for long passages of their contest against the O'Moore County lads but goals from Ciarán Archer at the close of both halves saw them to a dramatic victory.

In Dublin's earlier games in the competition they were beaten 2-23 to 2-11 in the opening round by Meath in Dunganny.

The Dubs led 2-8 to 1-4 at half-time but made significant changes to the starting side at half-time and faded out of the game in the second period.

In Round 2 of the John Kerins tournament a late scoring surge by Kildare saw them earn a 0-19 to 2-13 draw at Manguard Plus Hawkfield.

Dublin led by four points as the game moved into added time before a Findlay Nairn goal and Shane O'Sullivan free saw Kildare draw level before the full-time whistle.

Luke Swan kicked three early points for the Dubs with Ciarán Archer converting a free to give the Dubs a 0-4 to 0-0 lead.

Kildare responded before points from Mark Lavin and Seán Lowry settled Dublin again.

The Lilywhites, however, took the lead courtesy of four frees from Shane O'Sullivan before scores from Mark Lavin and Lorcan O'Dell helped Dublin to a 0-9 to 0-7 interval lead.

Dublin scored four of the opening six points of the second half with Pádraig Purcell doing well and with 15 minutes remaining Tom Gray's side were six points clear.

Darragh Kirwan's goal from the Lilywhites brought them back into contention but still Dublin led by four points late on before Kildare snatched a draw with Findlay Nairn's goal and Shane O'Sullivan's equalising free.

Wicklow took part in the Liam O'Connor U20 Football Development League enjoying wins over Clare (1-13 to 1-12) and Limerick (3-8 to 0-5) after losing to Offaly (4-10 to 0-12) with an understrength team.

2020 EirGrid LEINSTER U20FC

1 Wicklow v Dublin 8.2.2020 Aughrim 2.0
2 1 v Longford 15.2.2020 2.0
3 Carlow v Wexford 7.2.2020 St Patrick's Park, Enniscorthy 8.0
4 3 v Meath 15.2.2020 2.0
5 Louth v Offaly 8.2.2020 Dunleer – Lanneire GAA 2.0
6 5 v Kildare 15.2.2020 2.0
7 Laois v Westmeath 15.2.2020 2.0
Semi Finals
8 2 v 4 22/23.2.2020
9 6 v 7 22/23.2.2020
Final 8 v 9