Louth U20s defeat Dublin to book their place in second consecutive Leinster final

Louth U20 footballers booked their place in a back-to-back Leinster U20 Football Championship final after a gutsy three-point win over Dublin in horrendous conditions tonight at Darver.

It wasn't a pretty game in the lashing down and gale wind, but Louth stood tall when it mattered most to grind out a deserved victory and show real steel when Dublin came strong late on.

It’s the second year in a row Louth have beaten Dublin at the semi-final stage, and once again, the Wee County had that bit more fight in them when the pressure came on.

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Dublin started sharper and had three points on the board before Louth even settled. But the home side slowly found their feet.

Dundalk Gaels clubman, Tony McDonnell’s free-taking was a huge asset, and his three-in-a-row steadied things midway through the half.

Then came a moment of class from a Tadhg McDonnell with a two-pointer, a rare score on the night, gave Louth the lead for the first time.

Pearse Grimes-Murphy and Darragh Dorian added fine points, and despite the poor weather, Louth looked the more composed side in the first period.

Half time: Louth 0-7 Dublin 0-6

The second half began with a statement as James Maguire’s deflected point and another McDonnell free stretched Louth’s lead.

Adam Gillespie then curled over a lovely effort, and when Dorian finished off a slick move started by Grimes-Murphy, Louth had a five-point cushion.

Joe Quigley did his best to pull Dublin back into it, including a two-pointer that closed the gap, but every time they edged closer, Louth had a reply.

Tony McDonnell was ice-cool from frees, Maguire chipped in with another classy score, and at the other end, Tiernan Markey came up with a brilliant late save to keep Dublin at bay.

Louth now head to a Leinster final for the second year running where they’ll face Meath again and a chance to put last year’s final defeat right at Parnell Park next Wednesday.

The Wee County are chasing their first U20 provincial title since 1981, but belief is building around Fergal Reel’s team.

If they can show the same work-rate, composure, and heart next week against the Royals then they’ll be in with a serious shout.

Full time: Louth 0-14 Dublin 0-11

Louth: Tiernan Markey; Padraic Tinnelly, Keelan Martin, Micheal Reid; Tadhg McDonnell (0-2, 1tp), Cormac McKeown, Conor McGinity; Sean Callaghan (c), Tony McDonnell (0-6, 6f); Darragh Dorian (0-1), Shane Lennon, Conor Mac Criosta; Adam Gillespie (0-2, 2f), James Maguire (0-2), Pearse Grimes-Murphy (0-1).

Subs: Dylan Shevlin on for Tony McDonnell (51’), DD Reilly on for Darragh Dorian (55’).

Dublin: Aaron Lee; Emmet Brady, Darragh Murphy, James Brady; Ryan Mitchel, Charlie McMorrow, Jamie Smith, Stephen Hickey, Senan Ryan (c), Clyde Burke, Paddy Kelly, Luke O’Boyle (0-5, 1tp); Rian Doherty, Shane Mullarkey, Joe Quigley (0-6, 5f, 1 45’).

Referee: James Foley (Carlow).