There were wins for Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Carlow in the opening round of the Leinster MFC last night.

Still an U16, Cian Raftery scored 1-9 - including 1-2 inside the first 60 seconds - as Dublin defeated Offaly in Group 2 by 3-14 to 1-13 at Parnell Park. The Dubs also won the corresponding fixture last year, but Offaly went on to lift the provincial title.

The hosts led by 1-7 to 0-5 at the break before Offaly closed the gap to two with two-pointers from James Slevin and captain Paddy Burns. But Dublin replied with goals from Cian O'Dwyer and Eoghan Madden and survived a late scare when Darragh Stewart netted for the holders to make a winning start.

In Group 1, Jack Reilly helped himself to 1-6 as Kildare saw off Laois by 1-12 to 0-9 at Laois Hire O'Moore Park after leading by 1-6 to 0-4 at the break.

In Group 3, Wicklow accounted for Wexford by 0-14 to 0-3, while Rian Nolan, Michael Redmond, Jack Monahan and Craig Burgess all raised green flags as Carlow overcame Kilkenny 4-14 to 2-4.

Meanwhile, the postponed Group 1 game between Meath and Louth and Group 2 match between Longford and Westmeath have been rescheduled for tomorrow at 7.30pm, meaning they will clash with the Republic of Ireland's big World Cup playoff against Czechia in Prague. 

Tweet

Most Read Stories