Dubs top their group to make last four

Dublin advanced to the last four in style by sealing top spot in Group 3 with a 0-13 to 1-7 victory over Meath at Parnell Park last night.

The Royals, meanwhile, will have to satisfy themselves with a quarter-final with Laois by way of consolation.

The visitors enjoyed the greater degree of possession and territory in the opening half, but some errant shooting undermined their challenge as Dublin pushed ahead through early points by Clyde Burke, Luke O’Boyle and Jamie McCarville.

Meath failed to maintain their early momentum as the hosts finished the half in the ascendancy as points from Burke and Paul Reynolds Hand left Dublin 0-6 to 0-3 ahead by the interval.

And with Reynolds Hand and Greg McEneaney to the fore, scoring three points apiece, the Sky Blues would win out.

Meanwhile, in Group 1, Kildare topped their group as they had the edge over Louth in their 2-6 to 0-11 win in Darver last night.

Elsewhere in that group, Longford finished bottom of the table despite having the edge on Offaly by 0-10 to 0-9 at Clonguish last night. Mark Carey was their top scorer with 0-7.

Laois cantered to a 2-12 to 0-6 victory over Wicklow to top Group 2 and set up their quarter-final against the Royals next Tuesday night.

With both sides bringing two wins over Carlow and Wexford into this game in Blessington, it was the visitors who dominated from start to finish.

The O’Moore County produced goals in both halves, the first from the impressive Cillian Maher, the second from Cathal Lee, helping them cruise to 12-point victory.

Wicklow’s penalty for losing this game is an away trip to Darver to face Louth, the side who inflicted heartbreak on them 12 months ago, in a game where they will need to be vastly improved to stand any chance of progression.

Elsewhere in Group 2, Wexford beat Carlow by 4-11 to 2-13 in their dead-rubber contest in St Patrick’s Park Enniscorthy last night.

An injury-time goal from substitute Liam Donoghue, after the visitors pushed up in search of an equaliser, sealed the deal after a super contest.

The sides were level on 1-6 each after an entertaining first half of open football, with Wexford establishing an early 0-3 to nil lead before Josh Egan grabbed an equalising goal for Carlow in the seventh minute.

Rory Gilbert palmed to the net to edge Wexford clear by 1-5 to 1-4 after 20 minutes, but late Carlow points from Brandon Kelly and Josh Brady ensured parity at the break.

Goals from Gilbert, Donoghue and Morgan Ellis in the second half ensured the Model men would win out.