Offaly lose out to Louth despite spirited display

Despite goals from Tullamore duo Sean Afolabi Joseph and Cillian Bourke, Offaly lost out to Louth in the Leinster U-20 Football Championship last night (Tuesday).

In a game switched from Stabannon to Darver, Louth emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1-11 to 2-6.

Louth laid the foundations for eventual victory in the opening half when they went into the break level (1-2 each), having played against the strong wind.

With Sean Afolabi Joseph scoring their goal, Offaly led by 1-2 to 0-0 after 14 minutes. Kieran McArdle's goal, after he intercepted an Offaly pass, was a major boost for Louth when playing into the teeth of the breeze.

The wind-assisted home side took command in the second half but they still had to work hard to resist a spirited Offaly effort. Cillian Bourke's second-half goal raised Offaly hopes but the Wee County did enough to secure a two-point victory.

Goalkeeper Conor Melia was probably Offaly's best player on the night, making a terrific save in the second period to deny James Maguire and scoring two points from frees. He also proved adept at carrying the ball forward.

Meanwhile, reigning Leinster and All-Ireland champions Kildare got the defence of their titles off to a winning start with a seven-point victory over Longford. Ross Harris scored the goal as the Lilywhites ran out winners by 1-15 to 0-11.

Offaly will face Kildare in their next game next Tuesday night (Faithful Fields, 7.30pm).

Jamie O'Brien impressed for Laois as they defeated Carlow by 3-8 to 0-10, while Dublin recorded an emphatic 1-15 to 0-6 win over Westmeath. Clyde Burke was an influential figure for Dublin at centre-back, with the winners' goal coming from Karl Flynn.

Elsewhere, late points by James Boland and Eanna Nolan helped Wicklow to a 0-12 to 1-7 win over Wexford.

Louth v Offaly: teams & scorers

Louth: Cian O’Donoghue; Ronan Deery, Cameron Maher, Shane Halpenny; James Maguire (0-2, 1f), Fionn Tipping, Tadhg McDonnell (0-2); Seán Callaghan, Dara McDonnell; Liam Flynn, Seán Reynolds (0-1), James Rogers; Darragh Dorian (0-1, mark), Kieran McArdle (1-3, 0-1f), Aaron McGlew (0-1). Subs used: Cormac McKeown for Halpenny (41 mins), Pearse Grimes-Murphy (0-1) for Deery (52), Adam Gillespie for Dorian (56).

Offaly: Conor Melia (Bracknaghm, 0-2, 2f); Diarmaid O'Neill (Clonbullogue, 0-2), Christian McKeon (Clara), Dylan Kilmurray (Rhode); Dylan Byrne (Edenderry), Geordi O'Meara (Ballinagar), Luke Bourke (Tullamore); Cillian Bourke (Tullamore, 1-0), Marcas Dalton (Clara); Ross Kellaghan (Rhode, 0-1), Niall Furlong (Tullamore), Steven Doran (Ballinamere); Sean Afolabi Joseph (Tullamore, 1-0), Robbie Gallagher (Ballinagar, 0-1f), Luke Kelly (Doon). Subs used: Cillian Foran (Edenderry) for Kellaghan (47 mins), Cameron Egan (St Brigid's) for L Bourke (51), Ben Kennedy (St Brigid's) for Gallagher (51), Eoin Smith (Rhode) for C Bourke (inj., 57).

Referee: Patrick Coyle (Meath).

EirGrid Leinster U-20 FC results

Louth 1-11 Offaly 2-6

Laois 3-8 Carlow 0-10

Kildare 1-15 Longford 0-11

Dublin 1-15 Westmeath 0-5

Wicklow 0-12 Wexford 1-7.