Louth have qualified directly for the semi-finals of the Leinster MFC, while Meath, Dublin and Wicklow join them in the knockout stages following last night's final round of group games.

Connell Kelly - son of Colin - was in fine scoring form once again as last year's runners-up Louth edged out Kildare by 1-14 to 1-12 at Hawkfield to finish top of Group 1. Kelly's late goal, coupled with points from Cillian Duff and Conor Marron, secured a come-from-behind win for the Wee County and means Kildare will have to be content with a quarter-final spot.

In the same group, Meath picked up their first win in Portlaoise to progress to the preliminary quarter-finals. Trevor Giles' charges ran riot against Laois to run out facile 6-22 to 0-7 winners with Conn Brennan, Harry McGuirk, Cormac Walsh and Thomas McKeever among the goals.

Dublin joined Westmeath - who will face holders Offaly in the last round next week - at the summit of Group 2 after easing to a 4-17 to 1-12 victory over Longford. 

Mo Salami helped himself to two goals - including one spectacular effort - with Andy McDonnell and Bobby Doyle also raising green flags for the winners, who only led by 2-5 to 1-7 at the break.

Wicklow are also through to a preliminary quarter-final after accounting for Kilkenny by 5-18 to 0-3 in Group 3. The winners of tomorrow's clash between Carlow and Wexford will take the other preliminary quarter-final place.

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