UNDER-21 FOOTBALL LEINSTER SEMI-FINALS/Louth0-10 Offaly 0-8:ALTHOUGH ONLY scoring once in the last 23 minutes, Louth held out to bridge a 16-year gap when advancing to the provincial under-21 final at the expense of a well-fancied Offaly side at Navan's Páirc Tailteann last night.

Louth took control in the early stages, with Peter Kirwan and William Woods putting over fine points from play, to lead 0-4 to 0-1 after 11 minutes.

Offaly’s cause was not helped by a couple of dreadful misses from frees by Anton Sullivan and they trailed 0-6 to 0-1 at the interval.

The highlight of that opening period was a brilliant point by Louth midfielder Shane O’Hanlon following a solo run just before half-time. Colin Kelly’s side looked to be coasting when they increased their lead to eight points three minutes after the restart.

But Offaly came storming back with substitute Peter Cunningham making a big impact with five points. But further missed chances and some heroic Louth defending saw the Wee County through.

The winners finished with 14 men, Ruairí Moore picking up a second yellow card at the end.

LOUTH: J Flanagan; C Murray, D Campbell, T Hand; M McKeown, P Reilly, A Williams; E O’Connor (0-1), S O’Hanlon (0-1); R Moore (0-1, f), C Bellew, P Kirwan (0-1); B Rogan (0-2, 1f), W Woods (0-2), B Hamilton (0-1). Subs: E Duffy for McKeown (35 mins); B Berrill (0-1) for Hamilton (51); E O’Neill for Kirwan (55).

OFFALY: G Shiels; C Donoghue, E Rigney, J Kavanagh; S Hannon, J Ledwith, J McFadden; M Brazil, D Kelly; D Hogan (0-1), A Sullivan (0-1), G Guilfoyle; T Spain, B Allen, S Cullen. Subs: Mm young for Cullen (25 mins); P Cunningham (0-5, 3f) for Spain (26); N Bracken for Kavanagh, D Hanlon for Donoghue (both 33); A McDonagh (0-1) for Hannon (53).

Referee: F Barry (Kildare).