Meath seal Leinster U20 semi-final clash with holders Dublin as Kildare also advance

The Lilywhites will face either Laois or Westmeath whose quarter-final clash was postponed.

MEATH WILL FACE Leinster U20 title holders Dublin in the semi-final next weekend after clinching a seven-point win over Wexford.

Shane Walsh top-scored for the Royals, hitting 1-3 on the way to a 1-12 to 1-05 victory in Enniscorthy.

Amidst the poor weather conditions due to Storm Dennis, a second pitch inspection was carried out in St Patrick’s Park before the green light was given to proceed with the game.

Wexford made the ideal start after Todd Hynes scored a goal in the opening minute. Meath recovered from that early setback to level proceedings with a point from Matthew Costello before a Column Feeney pushed Wexford back into a 1-2 to 0-4 lead at half-time.

Meath gradually took control of the tie after the restart. Walsh grabbed his goal after just three minutes, while Jack O’Connor, Jordan Morris and Cian Rogers put them five points clear.

SCORERS
2020 @EirGrid @gaaleinster U20 🏐 Championship #MeathGAA #MeathFootball

Full time@MeathGAA: 1-12(15)@WexfordGAA: 1-5(8) pic.twitter.com/jcxJl8UEQh
— Meath GAA (@MeathGAA) February 15, 2020

The sides exchanged scores for the remainder of the tie as Meath held on to book a date with Dublin in next weekend’s Leinster semi-final.

Meanwhile, Kildare are also through to the last four of the provincial competition after a late Paddy McDermott point ensured a narrow victory over Offaly in St Conleth’s Park.

Shane O’Sullivan finished with 1-3 for the hosts to help them to a 1-7 to 0-9 win while Sean Courtney top-scored for Offaly with four points.

Playing in difficult conditions, the visitors held a 0-6 to 0-4 lead at half-time before O’Sullivan found the net for Kildare on 38 minutes. Offaly responded to go three points clear but Kildare rallied with Alex Beirne hitting the equaliser point after 52 minutes.

McDermott followed that up with the winner to send the Lilywhites through to semi-finals where they will face either Laois or Westmeath.

Their quarter-final clash was postponed today.

Leinster U20 Football Championship Quarter-Final Results:

Meath 1-12 Wexford 1-5

Kildare 1-7 Offaly 0-9