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Leinster U-20 FC round-up: Wins for Dublin, Louth, Longford, Laois, and Westmeath

Dublin proved too strong for Offaly in the EirGrid Leinster U-20 Football Championship. Photo by Paul Lundy.

Dublin proved too strong for Offaly in the EirGrid Leinster U-20 Football Championship. Photo by Paul Lundy.

EirGrid Leinster U-20 Football Championship

Louth 2-12 Wicklow 2-11

Offaly 1-9 Dublin 1-15

Carlow 0-9 Longford 1-8

Laois 1-12 Meath 1-7

Westmeath 1-16 Wexford 1-9

Louth’s Seán Reynolds was the hero on his home pitch of Stabannon after landing his side's winning point deep in injury time. The victory now sees his side advance to the quarter finals at Wicklow’s expense.

The win didn’t look likely when the hosts trailed by nine points before half time. Joe Prendergast was excellent on the wing for Wicklow and he fired home a first half goal to rattle off a 1-7 scoring run.

Louth went scoreless for 20 minutes but in the second half they rallied. Reynolds moved to full forward and Kieran McArdle chipped away at the lead with three frees.

Wicklow's Jack Keogh kept the scoreboard ticking but Reynolds' first goal in the 53rd minute was the catalyst. Dan Cooney looked to have held off Louth with a late goal but Reynolds completed the Louth comeback with an instant goal and stunning winner.

Elsewhere in Group 2, Dublin beat Offaly but had qualified with a game to spare after two opening round wins.

Greg McEneaney gave the visitors the perfect start for a dominant first half display with a major in the opening quarter. Offaly midfielder John Furlong pulled a goal back for the hosts before half time to leave it 1-6 to 1-4 at the break.

All-Ireland winner Jaime Guing had the hosts level shortly after half time but Dublin would prevail. Luke Breathnach's substitute appearance notched a brace as the visitors kicked the last four points of the game.

Further drama in O’Moore park as Laois snatched a pulsating win in the Group 1 shoot-out over Meath. The young royals led all the way thanks to an early Oisín Keogh goal, but it unravelled in the final third of the game for the visitors.

Eoghan Frayne landed Meath's last score in the 36th minute and the home side rattled off 1-5 to no reply to seal an automatic semi final place.

Davin McEvoy began the momentum shift and the lively David Costello finished the job with a goal. In the other game in Group 1 Longford also beat Carlow but the result had no impact on a runners up spot, so Meath will now face Westmeath.

Westmeath completed the line up for the Eirgrid Leinster U20 knockout stages with a seven point win over Wexford to top the three team Group 3. With Podge Quinn in fine form the hosts never looked in trouble in Mullingar.

Morgan Ellis did provide the young Yellow Bellies hope at the start of the second half but Shane Hanley’s goal made sure of their second win in a dominant campaign.