Laois leave it late to secure Leinster semi-final as they dispatch of Meath

Laois have secured their place in the Leinster Championship semi-finals as they recovered from four-points at half-time to beat Meath in Laois Hire O'Moore Park this evening.

Late points from substitute Colin Dunne as well as a late 45' from Conor Brown was matched with a super goal from Emo's Davy Costello as Laois sealed their semi-final spot.

Laois 1-12

Meath 1-7

Eirgrid Leinster U-20 Football Championship

Meath opened proceedings in the second minute as half-back Shaun Leonard pointed a super score. They tacked on another score as Eoghan Frayne pointed from play. Laois got their first score courtesy of Jack Byrne as he turned his marker and slotted it over the black spot.

The next score was a crucial one in the first-half as Frayne set up Oisin Keogh to blast the ball beyond Conor Brown in the Laois net. Laois responded well to Meath goal as Tom Byrne's side fired over three scores unanswered. Byrne and a fantastic point from the outside of Oisin Hooney's right boot. Midfielder Conor Heffernan went on a mazy run up-field before dissecting the posts.

Meath would in turn increase their one-point lead to five points as midfielder Jack Kinlough pointed two scores from play. Frayne got his second point of the contest while half-back Brian O'Reilly raised a white flag for The Royals. The half was ended with a Laois score as Davy Costello pointed his free. Meath leading 1-6 to 0-5 at the break.

The second-half begun the same way the first had ended as Costello pointed his second placed ball. Davin McEvoy then finished off a super team score as Laois won the ball on their own 21-yard line before Laois broke up-field with the Ballyroan-Abbey man splitting the posts. 

Meath brought it back to a three-point game as Frayne kicked over his third score from a free. McEvoy would reply with a fantastic long-range effort to out two between the sides yet again. Meath were failing to capitalize on their opportunities as they kicked three wides in succession. Meath were almost in for a second goal with Frayne's effort superbly saved by Conor Brown.

Colin Dunne had been dropped from the starting 15, but within a minute of coming on, the Arles-Killeen man caught a mark and pointed it. The game was level in the 55th minute as McEvoy followed suite and pointed a mark of his own. Dunne was making a difference as he put Laois ahead for the first time with a score from play. Conor Brown made a two-point game as the keeper kicked over a 45' for Laois. 

The game ended with a super goal from young David Costello as he had the freedom of O'Moore Park before he unleashed a looping effort from just inside the 21-yard line to send the Laois supporters into ecstasy. Laois now go forward to a Leinster semi-final in two-weeks time.