O'Kelly goals crucial as Dublin U20 hurlers advance to quarter-finals

On paper, it should have been a one-sided contest and it was shaping up that way at the three-quarter stage when Dublin led by 11 points. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

A brace of Daniel O'Kelly goals proved crucial as Dublin survived a second-half speed wobble to advance to the Leinster U20 HC quarter-finals.

The 2024 provincial runners-up finished bottom of this season's three-team Tier 1 group so were forced to go down the preliminary quarter-final route.

That took them to neutral Dowdallshill outside Dundalk and a date with Antrim who topped their Tier 2 group.

On paper, it should have been a one-sided contest and it was shaping up that way at the three-quarter stage when Dublin led by 11 points.

But late Antrim goals from Cormac McKeown and Jack McCloskey, his second of the evening, cut the deficit to just three by full-time as Dublin escaped with a 2-19 to 4-10 win.

O'Kelly's 23rd and 38th minute goals ultimately separated the teams and helped propel Dublin through to a May 5 quarter-final against holders Offaly.

Dublin cut loose at times, reeling off five points in a row between the sixth and 12th minutes to initially open up a 0-7 to 0-3 lead.

But Antrim goals kept them just about in the game and they notched their first two in the 13th and 22nd minutes, through Fiontan Bradley and McCloskey, to briefly lead 2-4 to 0-8.

Dublin finished the half strongly, reeling off 1-3 without response, to lead 1-11 to 2-4 at half-time.

They piled on the pressure in the third quarter, adding another 1-4 without response after the restart to open up that 11-point 2-15 to 2-4 lead.

But Antrim refused to fade out and pushed the Sky Blues all the way with McKeown rifling to the roof of the net in the 57th minute before McCloskey's stoppage time fourth goal for Antrim from a free.

Meanwhile, Laois were comfortable 1-29 to 2-16 winners against Kildare in the other preliminary quarter-final tie, sealing a quarter-final date with Wexford.

Laois enjoyed a double-score, 0-16 to 0-8, half-time lead and added a 58th minute goal from Cormac Byrne. Alex Bell netted twice for Kildare in the final 10 minutes.