Minor footballers set sights on Wexford duel

Dublin's minor footballers will be hoping to build on the momentum of their opening night victory when they face Wexford in the Electric Ireland Leinster MFC (U17) Group 2 Round 2 encounter this Wednesday night in Bellefield, Enniscorthy (7.0).

The young Dubs finished strongly to defeat Meath, 4-10 to 2-10, in their opening assignment two weeks ago in Parnell Park while Wexford were beaten at home on the same night by Offaly (1-10 to 1-9).

Wexford led Offaly at half-time, 1-4 to 0-5, thanks to a goal from their top scorer Jack O'Leary (1-6, 0-5f) and were pushing strong at the end to claim victory but both time and a strong Offaly defence held them off.

Dublin showed strong resolve against the Royal County to run out winners by two clear goals.

The counties were level 2-6 each at the break and the Royals moved two points clear early in the second period courtesy of scores from David Bell and Eoghan Frayne.

Dublin had threatened to goal immediately on the restart when Senan Forker and Luke Murphy-Guinane dovetailed brilliantly but Forker’s effort was saved by Meath keeper Dean Pluck.

If luck went against Dublin on that occasion it went with them just before the midpoint of the half when Fionn Murray’s free came back off the right upright and the hard-working Ryan O’Dwyer rifled to the net to put Jim Lehane’s lads 3-7 to 2-8 in front.

It was a lead Dublin never surrendered. Both teams played with abandon at times with turnovers commonplace which made for a very entertaining duel but it was the Dubs who were the more clinical over the conclusion of this contest.

Subs Luke Swan and Tom Brennan played crucial roles with Swan’s know-how close to goal vital for Dublin’s victory. The Castleknock lad finished with 1-1 from play and was perhaps unlucky not to have been awarded a second half penalty.

With six minutes of normal time remaining a Pearse Sheridan point for Meath left the minimum between the sides but Dublin raised the game over the last few minutes.

Fionn Murray converted his third free, and his fourth point overall, before a great diagonal ball from sub Luke Curran, son of legendary Dublin former footballer Paul, found Swan who pointed on the turn.

Then in the 59^th minute Swan highlighted his eye for goal to decide the outcome with a palmed finish to the net after working a clever one-two.

2019 LEINSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Group 1: Carlow, Laois, Longford, Westmeath

Group 2: Offaly, Wexford, Meath, Dublin

Group 3: Kilkenny, Kildare, Wicklow, Louth