TOM SHIELS BAGGED two goals for Laois last night as the visitors recovered from a rocky start against Wexford to set up a Leinster quarter-final clash with provincial and All-Ireland champions Dublin.
With less than 20 minutes on the watch in Bellefield, Wexford were 0-5 to 0-1 ahead — and the gap could have been even bigger.
But Derek Conroy’s Laois hauled themselves back into contention when Shiels netted, and it wasn’t long before they were ahead for the first time, 1-4 to 0-6.
At half time, the sides were deadlocked at 1-6 to 0-9 before Padraig Conway’s goal with 21 minutes remaining put Wexford back in the driving seat, leading by 1-11 to 1-9.
But Laois went goal-crazy in the closing stages, as Shiels claimed his second before Evin Keane and Evan O’Carroll netted in the closing minutes to seal a 4-12 to 1-11 victory. Laois will host the Dubs at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, next week.
Elsewhere, 14-man Louth held off a spirited Carlow fightback to claim a 3-11 to 2-10 victory in Darver.
Louth were quickest out of the blocks and Robbie Carr struck for the game’s opening goal in the fourth minute. With just ten minutes on the watch, the hosts threatened to run riot as they led by 2-4 to 0-1, as Cian Doyle added an excellent second goal.
When Ryan Burns was on the mark in the 16th minute for Louth’s third goal, the Wee County had a ten-point lead, 3-4 to 0-3.
But in a remarkable turn of events, Carlow had the deficit reduced to just four points by half time. Graham Power and Mark Rennick netted for the visitors, who trailed by 2-5 to 3-6 at the break.
It was very much game on when Carlow hit three unanswered points after half time, before Louth responded with a brace.
Cian Doyle’s red card left Louth a man short for the remainder of the game but Burns added a couple of vital late scores to make the game safe.
Meanwhile, Longford romped to victory against Wicklow in Newtowncashel, winning by 4-13 to 1-5.
Larry Moran, who won an All-Ireland Freshers medal with UCD last week, scored Longford’s first-half goal as the hosts led by 1-7 to 0-3 at the break.
Conor Shields joined the Longford attack to bury his side’s second goal, and further majors followed from DCU’s Sigerson Cup medallist Rory Connor and Liam Connerton.
Mark Glennon pulled a goal back for Wicklow, but it was mere consolation as Longford ran out massive 17-point winners. Louth will play Longford in the quarter-finals.
Leinster U21FC first round results
Laois 4-12 Wexford 1-11
Longford 4-13 Wicklow 1-5
Louth 3-11 Carlow 2-10
- This article was originally published on 25 February at 9.27pm
