EirGrid Leinster GAA U20 Football Championship Round 1

Offaly 3-7 Louth 0-13

Westmeath 4-12 Wicklow 2-13

Holders Offaly remained cool and composed to eventually defeat Louth 3-7 to 0-13 in a dramatic EirGrid Leinster U20 Football Championship encounter at Faithful Fields.

Louth produced a gutsy display, but Offaly were able to pounce for important goals to secure a hard earned victory.

Visitors Louth settled impressively edging 0-5 to 0-3 ahead before Offaly struck for a 15th minute goal courtesy of Darragh Flynn.

Louth responded to edge 0-7 to 1-3 in front, but Keith O’Neill’s 21st minute penalty ensured Offaly led again.

When the interval rolled around Offaly departed armed with a slender 2-4 to 0-9 advantage.

After the interval it was similarly tight and interesting with Jamie Guing’s 49th minute major a critical score.

Throughout the match Kyle McElroy, Dylan McKeown, Ben Collier, and Beanon Corrigan landed splendid points for Louth, but Offaly advanced.

In Baltinglass Westmeath enjoyed a 4-12 to 2-13 success over Wicklow.

A lively encounter throughout, Wicklow accumulated a 1-6 to 0-3 lead by the 18th minute following JP Nolan’s early goal.

Senan Baker replied with a Westmeath goal, but Wicklow still went in at the break 1-9 to 1-5 ahead.

Two minutes into the second period Seán Leech grabbed a vital goal for Westmeath.

Tommy Keogh provided a goal for a determined Wicklow outfit, who continued to cause Westmeath some problems.

Matthew Whittaker added a third Westmeath goal in the 40th minute to steer his team into a narrow 3-7 to 2-9 lead.

It was tight in the closing stages with Leech sharp for the midlanders, who gleaned an encouraging victory.