Louth maintain 100% record and book place in Leinster U20FC last four

Louth preserved their perfect record and marched into the Dalata Hotel Group Leinster U20 Football Championship semi-finals with three wins from three when they overcame Wexford this evening at PPFS Darver.

The throw-in was delayed due to ongoing fuel protests, which disrupted Wexford’s journey, but once proceedings got underway, the visitors settled quickest.

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Despite the Wee County being already assured of qualification, there was no sense of complacency from Fergal Reel’s side, who showed real character after conceding two first-half goals.

Tony McDonnell opened the scoring for the Reds, but Wexford responded smartly, edging ahead through points before striking a major blow.

Kyle Connolly finished clinically to the bottom corner, and a second goal soon followed with Darragh Harris applying the finish after nice interplay.

To their credit, Louth regrouped impressively as Andrew O’Reilly, a constant attacking threat, drove their response with a series of well-taken points, while McDonnell’s accuracy from placed balls helped trim the deficit.

Half time: Louth 0-9 Wexford 2-4.

Wexford stretched their lead again early in the second half, adding a point before netting their third goal through James Rothwell, pushing six clear.

At that stage, Louth faced a significant test, but what followed was their most impressive passage of play. McDonnell and O’Reilly took control, dictating tempo and picking off scores, while the introduction of Conor MacCriosta proved decisive.

The substitute rattled the net on 43 minutes to swing momentum firmly in the home side's favour and nudged them into the lead for the first time since the opening quarter.

From there, Louth controlled proceedings as McDonnell’s superb left-footed effort underlined his influence, while O’Reilly continued to find his range.

Wexford threatened sporadically, with Cian O’Donoghue producing an excellent save to deny a goal chance, but they were unable to halt Louth’s surge.

Further points from Eoin McCoy ensured daylight between the sides entering the closing stages, and despite late Wexford frees, Louth saw it out comfortably. O’Reilly and McDonnell stood out, both central to Louth’s forward momentum throughout.

Louth now advance as group winners and the defending Leinster champions carry momentum into the last four tie.

Full time: Louth 1-17 Wexford 3-8.

Louth: Cian O’Donoghue; Daniel Craven, Niall Morgan, Donal McArdle; Donnacha Skinnader (0-1), Cormac McKeown, Cian Spaight; Ben McKeown, Ryan Shevlin; Tony McDonnell (0-6, 2f), Andrew O’Reilly (0-6, 1f), Flynn Markey; Ryan Kelly, Dylan Shevlin, Eoin McCoy (0-4).

Subs: Conor MacCriosta (0-1) on for Dylan Shevlin (35’), Rian Hickey on for Ryan Shevlin (40’), Ciaran Russell on for Cian Spaight (48’), Tom Grimes on for Donal McArdle (57’).

Wexford: William Gaul; Sean Fitzharris, Liam Kenny, Mikey Hughes; Alex Carton (0-2), Thomas Cummins, Eoin Tomkins; Cathal Kehoe (0-1), Kyle Connolly (1-0); Darragh Harris (1-1), James Rothwell (1-0), Brian Roban (0-1); Darragh Forde, Zak Kernan, Brian Ivers (0-3, 1f).

Subs: Conor Shorthall on for James Rothwell (44’), Odhran Morris on for Darragh Forde (48’), Rory Gilbert on for Michael O’Rourke (51’), Darragh Shannon on for Eoin Tomkins (55’).

Referee: Alan Coyne (Westmeath).