CAPTAIN EOIN LOWRY hit the net as Laois triumphed by 3-15 to 1-13 in tonight’s EirGrid Leinster U21 football first round tie against Louth.
In a game played in Haggardstown in Louth, Lowry’s first-half strike enable Laois to be in front 1-8 to 0-9 at the break.
And Laois sealed victory in the second-half with two goals from Michael Keogh helping them run out eight-point winners.
They’ll face Wicklow next Wednesday night at the quarter-final stage after Wicklow saw off Carlow in an eight-goal thriller tonight by 5-12 to 3-13 in IT Carlow.
Carlow grabbed the opening goal of the game through Darren Lundy but Patrick O’Connor, Marc Lennon and Michael O’Connor netted before half-time to see Wicklow in front 3-6 to 1-7.
Cathal Magee pounced for Wicklow’s fourth goal in the 40th minute yet remarkably Carlow drew level with a late scoring spree.
But an injury-time goal from Sean McGraynor, Wicklow’s fifth, helped them to finally settle the contest.
Wexford defeated Longford by three points tonight in Enniscorthy, 0-14 to 2-5. Their reward is a last eight tie against Westmeath next Wednesday night.
Wexford had to fight back after conceding two goals but they had cut the gap at the interval when they trailed, 2-1 to 0-5.
Some good points by Donal Shanley brought Wexford back into contention entering the final quarter as Longford’s lead was reduced to a single point, 2-4 to 0-9.
And Shanley’s point-taking was key again in the final quarter as Wexford ran out victors.
Leinster U21FC
First round results
Wicklow 5-12 Carlow 3-13
Laois 3-15 Louth 1-14
Wexford 0-14 Longford 2-5