Leinster MFC round-up

May 24, 2009
Dublin, Offaly and Kildare joined holders Meath in the last-four of the Leinster MFC following their victories over Laois, Wicklow and Wexford respectively. Dublin needed extra-time to overcome Laois by 0-14 to 1-10 in an enthralling contest at the Naomh Mearnog grounds in Portmarnock. It was a wasteful performance from the home side who kicked 18 wides, but they still had enough to progress to a semi-final meeting with Offaly. Colm Carr's point gave Dublin a 0-8 to 1-4 interval lead in normal-time, with the Laois goal coming from James Finn in the 23rd minute. Scores were much harder to come by in the second half, with Darragh Stapleton's 62nd minute point securing extra-time for the hosts. With Paul Hudson in fine scoring form, Dublin took control in the first period of extra-time, but were left hanging on for victory after points from Adam Ryan and Rory O'Connor had reduced the deficit to the minimum. In the battle of the backdoor sides, Offaly saw off the challenge of Wicklow by 3-13 to 2-11 at Tullamore. Goals from Bernard Allen and Graham Guilfoyle helped Declan McGovern's charges to a 2-7 to 2-5 interval lead, and a stunning goal from Anton Sullivan early in the second half paved the way for a five-point win. Kildare, who had walloped Wicklow in the opening round, chalked up another facile win (3-15 to 2-4), this time at Wexford's expense in Newbridge. Two goals from Paul Cribbin and another from Tomas Moolick ensured a comfortable victory, while corner forward Darroch Mulhall kicked five points before making his exit with 20 minutes remaining. Wexford managed just one point from Declan Murphy in the first half and would have lost by a bigger margin but for Michael Regan's brace of goals in the final quarter. In the day's other quarter-final at Navan, holders Meath enjoyed a double-scores victory (0-18 to 0-9) over 14-man Westmeath.

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