Leinster U20 hurling round-up: Aaron Niland leads Galway rout of Dublin

The comprehensive win sees the Tribe into the provincial semis. 

MAIN MAN: Galway forward Aaron Niland.

A brace of Aaron Niland goals helped Galway to a big Leinster U-20 HC win over Dublin, securing top spot in their group and a provincial semi-final spot.

An All-Ireland minor runner-up last year, free-taker Niland struck 2-7 in total as Galway demolished Dublin 4-14 to 0-10 in Tullamore to claim top spot in Tier 1, Group 1.

Kilkenny had already advanced to a May 15 semi-final after finishing top of the other Tier 1 group and Galway duly joined them, nudging out Offaly to secure the top position.

Galway's superior scoring difference stood to them and they looked intent on beating Dublin by a big number as they ultimately ran out 16-point victors.

Clarinbridge attacker Niland struck both of his goals in the first-half as Galway, with the aid of the stiff wind, led by 2-10 to 0-4 at the break.

Dublin hinted with three of the first four points in the second-half, all from Sky Blues senior Diarmuid O Dulaing, that a fightback may be on the cards.

But the westerners' third goal in the 49th minute from Micheal Power all but settled it and Conor Dolphin added a fourth goal for Galway approaching the hour.

As a result of Galway finishing top, Offaly will progress to a quarter-final on May 8 against a Round 2 winner while Dublin, who have finished bottom of the table, will contest a Round 2 tie against the winner of a Round 1 game.

Meanwhile, with Kilkenny beating both Wexford and Laois in Tier 1, Group 2, the latter two counties met to decide who would finish second and third in that table and they couldn't be separated, drawing 0-18 to 0-18.

Wexford have the greater scoring difference so will take second position and will advance to a Leinster quarter-final on May 8.

Bottom placed Laois will have the opportunity to bounce back in Round 2 of the provincial championship.

A draw at Chadwicks Wexford Park was no great surprise because while Wexford led Laois by 0-10 to 0-8 at half-time, the teams were tied on seven occasions after the break.

Free-taker Simon Roche finished with 0-9 for Wexford and three Roche points in a row between the 49th and 51st minutes left the hosts 0-17 to 0-14 ahead.

Laois responded impressively with scores from Ben Deegan and goalkeeper Brochan O'Reilly and it was another point from a Deegan free in the 59th minute that ultimately left the game deadlocked.

In Tier 2, Group 1, Westmeath hit Derry hard and early to eventually win by 5-18 to 0-13, meaning they finish top of that table.

Kevin O'Brien's side led by 3-10 to 0-2 and added two more goals as they ran out 20-point winners. Their reward is a Round 1 date with Carlow who finished up as runners-up in Tier 2, Group 2. Kildare will play Meath in the other Round 1 tie next weekend.