U21 footballers progress to Leinster decider

DUBLIN 2-10 LONGFORD 0-9

Dublin under-21 footballers progressed to the EirGrid Leinster final after overcoming Longford with seven points to spare in Wednesday night's provincial semi-final at a wet and windy Lakepoint Park, Mullingar.

Dessie Farrell's side will play Offaly, semi-final victors over Laois last week, in the Leinster final next Wednesday (March 29) in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise (7.30).

Playing into a very strong wind in the opening half the young Dubs worked tirelessly, with Dan O'Brien in particular putting in a great opening 30 minutes, to lead 0-5 to 0-4 at the break and having defied the elements and Longford's massed defence they were well placed for the second half.

Clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the opening 30 minutes with Chris Sallier slotting two fine points from play and Con O'Callaghan the other two (one free) to hold the advantage at the interval.

Dublin almost had a goal before the break but Con O'Callaghan's effort was cleared off the line after Chris Sallier looked to have been fouled when angling through on goal initially.

Longford carved out one goal scoring opportunity themselves but Darren Byrne was brave and did excellently to blocked Nigel Rabbitte's 24th minute effort.

The second half was only on 80 seconds when the game took a turn Dublin's way. A short kickout from Longford keeper Conor Gallagher did not work out and Dublin seized on the opportunity for O'Callaghan to slot to the net.

A flurry of scores followed and within ten minutes of the restart Dublin moved 2-7 to 0-3 clear. The second goal coming from the boot of Con O'Callaghan again following great work by Cian Murphy.

Dublin were guilty of some sloppy play over the conclusion of the game and Longford, to their credit, keep going and closed out the game with the last four points of the night.

SCORERS - Dublin: C O’Callaghan 2-5 (0-3f), C Sallier 0-3, B Howard, S Smith 0-1 each. Longford: D McGivney 0-4 (0-3f), R Brady 0-2 (0-1f), D Doherty, A McElligott, D Reynolds 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: E Comerford; D Monaghan, S McMahon, D Byrne; C Murphy, C O'Shea, E Murchan; A Foley, B Howard; D O'Brien, A Byrne, G O'Reilly; T Fox, C O'Callaghan, C Sallier. Subs: D Gavin for Fox (39), A Elliott for O'Reilly (45), S Smith for Sallier (48), S Bugler for Byrne (52), D Spillane for O'Brien (59), B Shovlin for Foley (63).

LONGFORD: C Gallagher; K Sorohan, C Farrell, J Mooney; C Brady, D Reynolds, R Brady; D McGivney, S Kenny; J Kelly, N Rabbitte, P Lynn; R Brady, D Carrigy, A McIlligott. Subs: C Lee for Lynn (25), J Matthews for Carrigy (ht), C Berry for Kenny (ht), R Sweeney for R Brady (41), D Doherty for Kelly (41), S Kelly for Mooney (52).

REF: N Ward (Westmeath).