Kilkenny keeps Dublin in the clear

Four points in the closing five minutes helped Dublin to a narrow victory over reigning champions Wexford in an excellent Leinster U21 football championship opening round game in Enniscorthy last night.

Michael O’Regan’s goal kept Wexford in touch before Philip Ryan slotted a 30th-minute penalty to ensure Dublin went in ahead at the break, 1-7 to 1-2.

Wexford fought back to level the tie on the resumption but Ciaran Kilkenny’s three points earned his side victory.

Scorers for Dublin: C Kilkenny 0-6 (2f), P Ryan 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-1 f), J Small, J McCaffrey, E O’Conghaile, H Dawson 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: M O’Regan 1-4 (1f), D Murphy 0-2 (1f), M O’Hanlon, B O’Gorman, G Cullen 0-1 each.

WEXFORD: B Redmond; W Devereux, D Gardiner, M Furlong; L Chin, J Leacy, S Sinnott; M O’Hanlon, A Cash; B O’Gorman, G Cullen, L Og McGovern; D Murphy, M O’Regan, K Rowe. Subs: D McDonald for Cullen; B Halpin for Rowe; C Kehoe for Sinnott.

DUBLIN: J B Carthy; J Smith, K O’Brien, M Concar; J Small, L Fletcher, J McCaffrey; E O’Conghaile, D Byrne; G Seaver, G Sweeney, M Schutte; C Kilkenny, H Dawson, P Ryan. Subs: A Carr for Smith; C Reddin for Byrne; P O’Higgins for O’Conghaile; E Keogh for Schutte; S George for Concar.

Referee: F Kelly (Longford).