Gillespie and Tinnelly Goals Fire Louth 20s into Leinster Semi-Final

Dalata Leinster U20 Football Championship

Group 1 – Round 2
From Parnell Park

Louth 2-13
Dublin 1-13

Louth U20s secured their place in the Dalata Leinster U20 Football Championship semi-final with a hard-earned three-point victory over Dublin at Parnell Park on Wednesday evening in Group 1.

Second-half goals from Adam Gillespie and Pádraic Tinnelly proved decisive in a contest that saw Louth withstand a late Dublin surge to seal progression.

Louth were the better side throughout the opening half but struggled to fully reflect their dominance on the scoreboard. A superb two-pointer from Andrew O’Reilly, along with scores from Sean Flynn, Pearse Grimes-Murphy, Shane Lennon, and Tadhg Devaney, helped them into a deserved 0-7 to 0-3 interval lead. Goalkeeper Tiernan Markey also produced a crucial save to deny Dublin during that period.

Dublin responded strongly after the restart, drawing level within five minutes, but Louth showed composure. Scores from Grimes-Murphy and Conor MacCriosta steadied matters before the game’s turning point arrived.

A foul on Seán Flynn resulted in a penalty, which Gillespie calmly converted to restore momentum. Louth pushed on with further scores, including 0-2 from Tony McDonnell who made a huge impact from the bench, opening up a significant lead before Tinnelly struck a superb second goal to leave seven between the sides entering the closing stages.

1 April 2026; Adam Gillespie of Louth scores a penalty during the Dalata Hotel Group Leinster U20 Football Championship Round 2 match between Dublin and Louth at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Dublin mounted a late comeback, narrowing the gap to three points and missing a gilt-edged goal chance in the dying moments. However, Louth held firm to secure a deserved victory to top Group 1.

Louth team: Tiernan Markey; Michael McGlew, Michéal Reid, Daniel Craven; Padraic Tinnelly (1-0), Cormac McKeown, Tadhg Devaney (0-2); Colm Hackett, Conor McGinty; Shane Lennon (0-1), Conor MacCriosta (0-1), Pearse Grimes Murphy (0-2); Adam Gillespie (1-2, 1-0pen & 2f), Sean Flynn (0-1), Andrew O’Reilly (0-2, 1tp).

Subs: Tony McDonnell (0-2, 1f) for Andrew O’Reilly (38’), Cillian McQuillan for Pearse Grimes Murphy (60’).

Dublin team: Cillian Campion; Jake Donnelly, Dara O’Sullivan, Seán Keogh; Davin Lynch, Ciarán O’Connor, Ryan Mitchell (0-1); Finn McGinnis, Alex Carolan; Ryan Ennis, Luke O’Boyle (0-1), Oisín Costello (0-1); Cathal Hickey (0-1), Callum O’Dwyer (0-2, 2tpf, Billy Shouldice.

Subs: Donach Magee (1-2) for Ryan Ennis (half-time), Senan Ryan for Alex Carolan (45’), Rían Doherty (0-2, 1tp) for Cathal Hickey (45), Caolinn O’Connell for Jake Donnelly (53’), Lenny Cahill for Billy Shouldice (53’), Tristan Donnelly for Oisín Costello (Temp, 58).

Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow)

Photos: Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile