Dublin and Offaly set up Leinster U20 showdown

County senior Diarmuid O'Dulaing led the way as Dublin, a month after leaking four goals to Galway, turned the tables in remarkable fashion to secure a Leinster U-20 HC final clash with Offaly.

On an evening of high drama, Dublin's 4-17 to 0-20 defeat of Galway and holders Offaly's 2-17 to 2-16 win over Kilkenny secured a first final between the counties at the grade since 2016.

Dublin's dozen-point win was the bigger surprise as when Shane O'Brien's side met Galway at the group stage just over four weeks ago, Galway won by 4-14 to 0-10.

Dublin also lost to Offaly in the round robin stage though both sides will fancy their chances when they meet again next Wednesday evening with provincial glory and an All-Ireland final place at stake.

Galway, who hadn't played since that win over Dublin, ran into a Dublin side who had beaten Westmeath and Wexford in the meantime and the young Tribesmen looked stunned by the speed and ferocity of the Sky Blues.

O Dulaing, who finished with 1-06 and claimed the Man of the Match award, sniped a goal after just 14 seconds.

David Purcell then got the first of his two goals in Portlaoise in the seventh minute, latching onto a ball up the right wing by Conor Dolan and beating both Conor Lawless and Rory Burke before slamming the ball in the net.

That left Dublin 2-01 to 0-01 ahead and they continued to go for goals with Neil Hogan and O Dulaing both drawing saves from goalkeeper Darragh Walsh.

Galway, with Joe Canning as part of Fergal Healy's management team, eventually got to the pace of the game in the second quarter and reeled off points from Matthew Tarpey, free-taker Conor Dolphin and Cullen Killeen.

But Dublin closed out the half with points from Hogan, Fionn Murphy and the excellent Conal O