Goals from substitute Dylan Keating and Cian McBride laid the foundations for Meath's impressive Leinster U-17 semi-final victory at Newbridge last night.

The visitors ran out 2-13 to 1-12 winners to book a final date with Dublin who got the better of Laois by 1-16 to 1-14 in Portlaoise.

Seneschalstown clubman Keating raised the game's first green flag on the stroke of half-time to give Ronan Kearns' charges a 1-7 to 0-6 cushion at the halfway stage.

They increased their lead to eight points (2-10 to 0-8) by the 41st minute thanks to McBride's goal but they were forced to withstand a late Lilywhite rally.

Centre-forward Shane O'Sullivan pulled a goal back for the hosts with 12 minutes left on the clock and they had cut the deficit to just three points before Conal Courtney sent over the insurance score for the winners.

The Royals will be hoping to repeat their 1-15 to 1-10 round 1 victory when they renew acquaintances with Dublin in the final which is scheduled to be played this Saturday at a venue to be confirmed.

Meath: Lee Browne, Sean Bannon, Sean Ryan, Michael Gavin, Oran Smullen, Liam Byrne (0-1), Conal Courtney (0-1), Colm Doherty (0-1), Fergal Waters, Cian McBride (1-0), Shane Walsh (0-3), Patrick Matthews, Aaron Lynch, Jordan Morris (0-3), Matthew Costelloe (0-2). Subs - Dylan Keating (1-1), Jack O'Connor (0-1), Michael Murphy.

Kildare: Eric Evans, Leon Tsang, Conor Lynch, Karl Hartley, Justin Reilly, DJ Earley (0-2), James Ebbs, Cian McQuillan (0-1), Adam Steed, Sam McCormack (0-2), Shane O'Sullivan (1-2), Jack Doyle, Billy Maher (0-1), Paidi Behan (0-2), Darragh Kirwan (0-2). Subs: James Carey, Oisin Byrne, Mark Cully, Eoin Conneff, James Behan

Referee James King

The final against old rivals Dublin is fixed for next Saturday aftenoon in Drogheda. Throw in time is 1.30pm. Be there to roar on a fine young team.

Tweet

Most Read Stories