Leinster MFC roundup
April 19, 2009
The 2009 ESB Leinster MFC got underway on Saturday with Laois, Wexford, Kildare, Westmeath, Meath and Dublin all recording wins.
Thirteen-man Laois avenged last year's defeat to Longford when they triumphed by 3-10 to 1-13 at Pearse Park. The visitors got off to a flying start when wing forward Barry Kelly netted after just 30 seconds and a second goal midway through the half put them on the road to victory.
Wexford had things very much their own way at Nowlan Park where they hammered neighbours Kilkenny by 3-19 to 0-5. There dominance was reflected by the fact that all six of their forwards scores, and all but two points from their 1-9 to 0-1 half-time tally came from frees.
St. Mary's, Edenderry star Paul Cribbin inspired Kildare to a facile 4-19 to 0-5 victory over Wicklow at Aughrim. The Lilywhites, who had gone four years without win a Leinster minor championship match, had opened up a 2-5 to 0-1 lead by the end of the first quarter with the goals coming from Darrock Mulhall and play-maker Cribbin.
Ger Heavin's Westmeath opened their campaign with a 1-15 to 1-5 victory over Carlow at Dr Cullen Park while, in the game of the day, Meath overcame Offaly by 0-18 to 1-11 after extra-time in Navan.
Holders Meath looked to be coasting to victory when leading by six points in the second half, but Offaly hit 1-4 without reply to go one point up in the dying moments. But the Royals struck for an equaliser and pulled clear in extra-time.
In the day's other first round clash, Dublin ran out easy 4-15 to 0-5 winners over Louth in Drogheda.
All of the losing sides will get a second chance in the qualifier series next weekend.
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