Meath and Louth joined Kildare and Dublin in the Leinster U20FC semi-finals with quarter-final victories over Laois and Wicklow respectively last night.

Jamie Murphy netted twice as Meath, who were All-Ireland minor champions three years ago, came from behind to defeat Laois 4-8 to 1-10 in an ill-tempered encounter at Ashbourne. 

Beaten by Dublin last week, Cathal Ó Bric's side got off to the perfect start when Murphy raised his first green flag inside 12 seconds. He added a second in the 13th minute before Jonah Kelly replied in the 25th minute to leave the visitors trailing by just two points, 1-5 to 2-4, at the break.

Laois outscored the hosts by 0-5 to 0-2 in the third quarter to take the lead for the first time, but the Royals responded with goals from Rian McConnell in the 49th minute and Eamonn Armstrong in injury-time to seal a date with Kildare.

Louth will face Dublin in the other last-four tie after a strong finish saw them past Wicklow on a 2-11 to 1-9 scoreline at Darver.

Kieran McArdle bagged 1-7 for the Wee County who led 1-6 to 0-5 at half-time. Wicklow dominated the third quarter when a goal from substitute Joe Heathy put them in front, but a Pearse Grimes Murphy goal and five unanswered McArdle points saw Louth qualify for their first semi-final in 12 years.

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