Meath advances to Leinster U20 Football semi-finals with a narrow win over Longford

A point in the middle of injury time from substitute Daragh O’Reilly propelled Meath into the semi-finals of the Leinster Under-20 Championship by a narrow margin over Longford.

Another Sub Pearse Sheridan had equalized for the Royals before O’Reilly struck.

Assisted by high winds, Longford built an early three-point lead with hits from Jack Macken and Jack Duggan (two).

Meath was level in the 21st minute when Ruairi Kinsella hit the top corner of the net. Meath went up a three-point lead in the 27th minute, but two points before the break narrowed the gap to 1-4, 0-6 at halftime.

Meath led three times in the second half but with Duggan in fantastic form, Longford equalized in the 55th minute. Longford was awarded a penalty in the 56th minute but Duggan hit the post with his attempt. Meath’s Adam McDonnell received a black card for the penalty incident but it was time for late drama.

Goalscorers: Longford – J Duggan 0-8 (3fs, 1’45), J Macken, M Duffy 0-2 each, K McGann 0-1. Meat – R Kinsella 1-1, N Finnerty 0-3, D O’Reilly 0-2, J Browne, E Frayne (f), D Moriarty, M Coffey, P Sheridan 0-1 each.

Langford: C.McGuinness; B Masterson, O O’Toole, F Hourican; Moffett D, Gilligan C, O’Sullivan S; M Duffy, C Leonard; K McGann, A Farrell, C Scanlon; T Hussey, J Macken, J Duggan. Subtitle: M Hynes for Hussey (47), M Flynn for S O’Sullivan (51).

Meat: B Hogan; M Corbett, A McDonnell, C McCarrick; Coffey M, Carolan J, Caulfield C; J Browne, C Gray; Smyth, D Moriarity, S Emmanuel; Finnerty N, Frayne E, Kinsella R. Subtitle: D O’Reilly for Smyth (50), A Bowden for Kinsella (58), P Sheridan (58).

Referee: J Hickey (Carlow).