Louth will face neighbours Meath in the Leinster JFC semi-final after beating Wicklow in Aughrim this evening.

The Wee County ran out 4-10 to 1-16 winners over the hosts to book an away date with the Royals in a fortnight's time. Malcolm McDonnell's side held a 2-7 to 1-5 half-time advantage with two early goals from Padraig Moley and Cian Callan.

Wicklow's goal came after Andy Maher's attempted point dropped short and Padraig Doyle pounced on a loose ball to finish to the net. But it was the only time they led as Doyle's major was almost immediately cancelled out by Callan at the other end.

Barry O'Hare's Penalty pic.twitter.com/LXjs7XbeIb

— Louth GAA (@louthgaa) May 22, 2019

The hosts made the brighter start to the second-half and quickly had the deficit down to three, 2-8 to 1-8. Louth soon regained control though thanks to a 42nd minute penalty which was duly dispatched by Barry O'Hare.

Wicklow kept plugging away with Mikey O'Connor and Eddie Doyle converting frees but ultimately the concession of goals proved their undoing as St Kevins clubman Callan added the fourth Louth major to help them through.

Meanwhile, holders Kildare still await the winners of Longford and Carlow in the other quarter-final which was due to take place at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park tonight but postponed in advance.

Louth - L Haggins; N Sharkey (0-1), A Shields, P Hanlon; C Bellew, P Nixon, B Reynolds; E O'Neill (0-1), D McMahon; G Garland (0-2), C Callan (2-1), D Carolan; P Englishby (0-1), P Moley (1-1), B O'Hare (1-3, 1-0pen, 0-1f). Subs: S Crosbie for D McMahon, S Marry for D Carolan, F Malone for P Moley, C Giggins for E O'Neill.

Wicklow - T McGurk; A Byrne, T Burke, A Maher; P Burke, D Woods, P Murtagh; D Hanlon, B Walsh (0-3); C Byrne, P Doyle (1-1), E Doyle (0-7, 4f); S Duffy, T Kelly (0-1), M O'Connor (0-4, 2f). Subs: C Byrne for S Duffy, A McHugh for T Kelly, K Kirwan for D Hanlon, C O'Shea for D Woods, S Farrell for P Murtagh, C McCoy for P Doyle.

Referee - C Dwyer.

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