Longford stun Dublin at Parnell Park
Dublin’s Ciarán Kilkenny scores the first goal of the game during the Leinster under-21 football quarter-final at Parnell Park. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Leinster under-21 football quarter-finals:Defending All-Ireland champions Dublin fell at the first hurdle at Parnell Park as Longford pulled off a stunning 1-6 to 1-5 victory.
There were only four scores in the first half as the teams struggled in wet conditions, with Ciarán Kilkenny’s brilliant goal on 20 minutes giving Dublin a 1-1 to 0-2 lead at the break.Robbie Smyth’s goal on 53 minutes proved the crucial score for Longford, who had skipper Pádraig McCormack sent off towards the end of the game.
Kilkenny had a chance to force extra time but he couldn’t find the target with an injury-time free as Longford celebrated a memorable victory.
Longford will now face Wexford in the semi-finals after they beat Westmeath 2-10 to 0-15 after extra time in Mullingar.
Laois proved too strong for Wicklow in Portlaoise, running out 6-11 to 2-8 winners and face Kildare in the last four after they ran out 2-15 to 1-9 winners over Meath at Páirc Tailteann in Navan.
Leinster U21 FC Quarter-finals
Laois 6-11, Wicklow 2-8
Kildare 2-15, Meath 1-9
Longford 1-6 Dublin 1-5
Wexford 2-10 Westmeath 0-15
Semi-final draw
Kildare v Laois
Longford v Wexford
