Dublin survived a stern test against Kevin O'Brien's Wicklow at Parnell Park before booking their place in next week's Leinster U20FC semi-finals.

Fielding a side that featured ten survivors from last December's All-Ireland U20FC final defeat to Galway at Croke Park, the Dubs were able to put their experience to good use in grinding out a 1-12 to 1-8 victory over a competitive Garden County outfit.

After the sides exchanged points in the early stages, Whitehall's Sean Foran struck for a goal on 17 minutes to edge Dublin into a five-point lead and they maintained that at half-time, 1-7 to 0-5.

Wicklow came out for the second-half with all guns blazing and hit 1-2 without reply on the resumption, JP Nolan's goal igniting their revival.

However, they failed to seize the initiative as Cillian McDonald blasted a penalty over the bar for the levelling point, 1-7 apiece.

A flurry of points by Fionn Murray and Luke Swan either side of the second water-break saw Dublin regain control as Wicklow managed just a single score over the remaining 30 minutes. 

The holders will now lock horns with near rivals Meath under the new management of Barry Callaghan and Sean Kelly following Bernard Flynn's recent departure.

The other semi-final will be contested between neighbours Westmeath and Offaly having won their semi-finals versus Longford and Wexford, respectively.

Westmeath held their nerve to beat Longford 5-4 in a dramatic sudden death penalty shoot-out at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

There was no separating these two after normal time, Westmeath 2-8 Longford 3-5, and extra-time, 2-12 to 3-9, so penalties were needed.

Meanwhile, Declan Kelly's Offaly did just enough to earn their last four spot, Jack Bryant's 34th minute penalty proving crucial in a 1-10 to 1-9 win at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Bryant's spot kick pushed the Faithfuls five clear but they still had to endure a nervous finish after Wexford rallied with an unanswered 1-3.

In the Munster U20FC quarter-finals, Sean O'Connor top-scored with seven points as Tipperary defeated Limerick 0-16 to 1-10.

The Treaty County accounted for Tipp at the same stage seventeen months ago, but Paddy Christie's men turned the tables with a well deserved success.

They face Waterford next after the Deise racked up four goals to see off Clare at Fraher Field.

Tom O'Connell was Waterford's hat-trick hero as it finished 4-5 to 1-9.

Tonight's results

Leinster U20FC quarter-finals
Westmeath 2-12 Longford 3-9 (AET, Westmeath win 5-4 on penalties)
Offaly 1-10 Wexford 1-9
Dublin 1-12 Wicklow 1-8

Munster U20FC quarter-finals
Tipperary 0-16 Limerick 1-10
Waterford 4-5 Clare 1-9

Upcoming fixtures (Games to take place next Thursday 15 July)

Leinster U20FC semi-finals
Westmeath v Offaly, TBC, TBC
Meath v Dublin, TBC, TBC

Munster U20FC semi-finals
Cork v Kerry, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 7.30pm
Tipperary v Waterford, Semple Stadium or Fraher Field, 7.30pm

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