U21 footballers hoping to retain Leinster title

Tue, 28th March 2017

Dublin will be hoping to retain their provincial crown in Wednesday night’s EirGrid Leinster U21FC final against Offaly in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise (7.30).

However, manager Dessie Farrell knows that Offaly will present a very tricky assignment for his young charges.

“Offaly have a great tradition down the years and they are sure to travel in large numbers as they haven’t been in many finals in recent years,” says Dessie.

“They have produced some excellent teams down the years and I when I saw them against Laois, I thought they looked like a formidable outfit.

“They controlled the match for the large part but took their foot off the gas a bit towards the end and made things more difficult for themselves.

“However, they were deserving winners and they will really look forward to having a crack at Dublin.

“I would imagine that they will respect Dublin but I don’t think that they’ll show any fear towards us,” said Farrell.

Dublin have beaten both Westmeath and Longford away (both in St Loman’s, Mullingar) to date and will be hoping they can win the Leinster U21FC title for the fourth year in-a-row.

The Dubs will be hoping that injuries to Shane Clayton and Colm Basquel will have cleared up in time to make themselves available while Paddy Small has missed the entire championship so far owing to injury.