Louth champions Newtown Blues had a comfortable win over the Wexford representatives at the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda. For the large numbers of noisy visiting supporters the defeat ended hopes of a Leinster double to follow their Wexford football and hurling double.
St Anne's were full value for a 0-3 to 0-0 lead built up by the 11th minute, with the points coming from impressive midfielder Jack Berry and forwards Francis Simpson and David Fogarty.
However, prompted by Colin Kelly at full forward, Blues struck back to level six minutes from the break with points from Paddy Stone, Kelly and Thomas Carr. A minute later Carr gave the Blues the lead. Jack Berry quickly cancelled the advantage, but Francis Simpson spurned the best goal chance of the afternoon a minute from the interval when his shot trickled wide with only Colm Nally in the home goal to beat.
The Louth champions made St Anne's pay, with points from Keith Lynch and Kelly to close the half.
Playing against the strong wind, St Anne's narrowed the lead through Paul Berry on 34 minutes but this was their last score. Blues had four more points from Kelly and Thomas Carr.
NEWTOWN BLUES: C Nally; P Judge, B Philips, B Murphy; S Gerrard, D Martin, R Hughes; P Kelly, K Lynch (0-1); R Philips, E Judge, T Carr (0-3); A Donaghy, C Kelly (0-6, 3 frees), P Stone (0-1). Sub: O McNulty for Lynch (40 mins).
ST ANNE'S: Diarmuid Berry; G Barry, D Berry, C White; P French, D Ryan, R Barry; J Berry (0-2, 1 free), K Byrne; D Fogarty (0-1), R Stafford, D O'Connor; P Berry (0-1), R Doyle, F Simpson (0-1). Subs: J Simpson for F Simpson (40 mins); S Berry for D Fogarty (40); N Ryan for R Doyle (52); W White for P Berry (58).
Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).
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