Meath U20s off to flier, Dubs battle back

John Harkin blasted 2-5 for Meath U20s in Carlow.

John Harkin of Meath. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

John Harkin blasted 2-5 as Meath got their Dalata Hotel Group Leinster U-20 FC campaign off to a flying start in Carlow.

Harkin featured in Meath's breakthrough Leinster success at this grade in 2024 and lined out again in last year's final loss to Louth.

He brought all that big game experience to bear at Netwatch Cullen Park where Cathal O Bric's young Royals demolished Carlow 5-19 to 2-9.

A highly fancied Meath side opened up a 14-point lead after just 20 minutes and only briefly struggled approaching half time when they conceded two goals.

Captain Daniel Bolger and Jake Nolan struck those two majors for host Carlow who still trailed 2-11 to 2-4 at half time.

Nolan went on to finish with 1-4 for Carlow and looked a classy operator just days after making his National Hurling League debut for Carlow on the same pitch.

Harkin registered his second Meath goal after the restart and sub Adam Ducie raised two more green flags late on.

There was a cameo too from Dunsany talent Stephen Cahill, the son of former Nemo Rangers All-Ireland club winner Kevin Cahill, who hit four points from play.

Cian Commons, another retained from last year's U-20 group, finished with 1-3 and will warn his team-mates of a greater test against Laois at home on April 1.

In the other Group 2 game, Longford scored a 2-17 to 1-15 win over Laois thanks in part to first-half goals from Mark Cooney and Luke Donnelly.

Holders Louth were scheduled to play Westmeath but the Group 2 tie has been pushed back to Friday evening in Mullingar.

Dublin had to come from three points down at half time to beat Wexford 1-18 to 1-15 at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Cathal Kehoe's early goal and two-pointers from Brian Ivers and Darragh Shannon left Wexford 1-10 to 0-10 up at the break.

Dublin drew level at 1-12 apiece when Luke O'Boyle netted in the 45th minute and they eventually regained the lead in the 55th minute, holding on for a gutsy Group 1 win.

Kildare cruised to a 3-16 to 0-7 win over Wicklow in the only game in the three-team Group 3.

Athy's county SFC title winning duo Colm Moran and Ronan Kelly provided the early inspiration and Kelly netted to leave the Lilies 1-10 to 0-4 up at half time.

Kelly added a second goal in the 47th minute and Jimmy Lynch drilled a third in stoppage time.