Impressive minor footballers capture Leinster title

Sun, 16th July 2017

DUBLIN 2-19 LOUTH 0-12

Dublin captured their first Leinster MFC title since 2014 when overcoming Louth at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Dubs did the damage in the opening half with a scoring burst of 2-1 in a two minute spell put Tom Gray’s side on the road to victory.

Dublin led by 12 points at the interval, 2-11 to 0-5, following an impressive opening 30 minutes.

The Dublin defence had been very solid with wing-back Kieran Kennedy inspiring his team from wing-back on his way to being named as the offical Electric Ireland Player of the Match.

The boys in blue could make changes as the second half progressed with the likes of Dublin U17s Adam Byrne and Ciarán Archer (two) both getting on the scoresheet shortly after their introductions while midfielder Mark Tracey also tallied an excellent point in the 47^th minute.

Late sub Luke Doran also added to Dublin’s tally as they cruised to their 13-point provincial final success.

Two early points from Ross McGarry settled the Dubs before John Gallagher got one back for the Wee County.

Dublin’s first goal arrived in the sixth minute when the pacey James Madden, who was influential throughout, finished clinically to the net.

Before Louth had a chance to recover they were hit with a second body blow when James Doran carved through from 40 metres out to add Dublin’s second goal.

Two Ciarán Keenan frees and other point from Fearghal Malone steadied Louth to reduce the deficit to 2-3 to 0-4.

But Dublin finished the half off strongly.

David Lacey converted a ‘45’, wing-back Kieran Kennedy got forward to slot over, Lacey fired over another following an impressive catch and when Seán Hawkshaw added a quickfire brace it was 2-8 to 0-5 to Dublin.

Before the break Lacey was on target from play and placed ball with defender Eoin O’Dea also getting in on the scoring act.

The Dubs will now face Clare in their All-Ireland MFC quarter-final while Louth will play Munster champions Kerry.

SCORERS - Dublin: D Lacey 0-4 (0-1f, 0-1 ‘45’), J Doran 1-1, J Madden 1-0, R McGarry 0-3, E O’Dea, C Archer (0-1f), S Hawkshaw 0-2 each, K Kennedy, M Tracey, D Brennan, L Doran, A Byrne 0-1 each. Louth: J Gallagher (0-3f, 0-1 ’45), C Keenan (0-5f) 0-5 each, F Malone, L Jackson 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: D O’Hanlon; D Maher, P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, L Flatman; K Kennedy, N Matthews, E O’Dea; M Tracey, D Ryan; D Brennan, J Doran, J Madden; R McGarry, S Hawkshaw, D Lacey. Subs: A Byrne for Brennan (38), C Archer for Lacey (48), A Lynch for Maher (51), L Doran for O’Dea (55), K Lynch Bissett for Tracey (56), E Joyce for Hawkshaw (58).

LOUTH: A McGauley; A Connor, P Trainor, D Corcoran; L Grey, E Callaghan, J O’Reilly; L Jackson, C Morgan; G Garland, C Gillespie, F Malone; B Mooney, C Keenan, J Gallagher. Subs: A Molloy for McGauley (21), C Nicholson for Malone (ht), S Hickey for Morgan (37), S Byrne for Gillespie (50), K O’Neill for Garland (51), D McGreehan for Grey (57).

REF: P Maguire (Longford).

2017 ELECTRIC IRELAND LEINSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Preliminary Round: Offaly 3-18, Wexford 0-6

First Round: Offaly 0-13, Westmeath 1-4; Dublin 1-15, Meath 1-13 (aet); Louth 2-11, Laois 0-15 (aet); Longford 1-19, Wicklow 3-8; Kildare 2-13, Carlow 0-9.

Qualifiers: Laois 0-11, Meath 0-10; Wexford 2-14, Wicklow 3-7; Carlow 2-12, Westmeath 0-17

Quarter-Finals: Kildare 1-14, Laois 2-6; Dublin 6-12, Longford 0-5; Louth 0-15, Offaly 1-11; Wexford 1-12, Carlow 2-8

Semi-Finals: Louth 4-10, Wexford 2-15; Dublin 1-16, Kildare 0-14

Final: Dublin 2-19 Louth 0-12

LEINSTER MFC: ROLL OF HONOUR

COUNTY YEAR

DUBLIN (33) 1930, 1933, 1934, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959,1961, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017

LAOIS (9) 1932, 1966, 1967, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2007.

MEATH (10) 1957, 1972, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2006, 2008.

LOUTH (8) 1931, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1951, 1953.

OFFALY (6) 1947, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1989.

KILDARE (8) 1973, 1975, 1983, 1987, 1991, 2013, 2015, 2016.

WESTMEATH (5) 1939, 1952, 1963, 1995, 2000.

LONGFORD (4) 1929, 1938, 2002, 2010.

WEXFORD (3) 1937, 1950, 1969.

WICKLOW (1) 1974