Leinster U20 round up: Westmeath battle past Kildare, Dublin hold on against Wicklow

The only game in Group 3 on the opening night of the Leinster under-20 football championship saw defending champions Kildare beaten by Westmeath by 2-10 to 0-10 at Hawkfield.

Shane Farrell kicked two early scores as the Lillies raced into a four-point lead, which had been trimmed to two by half time.

The game turned shortly after the restart as Brian Cooney punched a dropping Senan Baker effort to the net. Kildare wouldn't get closer than two points in the remaining 18 minutes with Matthew Whittaker's late goal sealing an impressive start for the Lake County.

Next up they'll host Wexford on Tuesday.

At Baltinglass Dublin were holding on slightly in the end but they emerged victorious in their Group 2 opener against Wicklow on a 1-14 to 3-06 scoreline.

Tommy Keogh landed the opening score for the hosts, but the Dubs then hit 1-04 unanswered to take a grip on the contest - Dan O'Leary scoring their goal.

The gap was five at the break - 1-06 to 0-04 - and the Garden County got back into the contest seven minutes after the resumption when Sean Doyle finished a penalty to the net after Dan Cooney had been taken down.

Dublin would kick four of the next four scores to stretch the gap back out to six, but James Boland and Jack Kirwan then added further Wicklow goals to set up a grandstand finish.

Critically Greg McEneaney, who has seen game time in the Allianz League for Dessie Farrell's seniors, and Conor Dolan were able to add points either side of those majors, and those two points would end up being the difference between the sides.

The other game in the group ended in a draw as Offaly snatched a share of the spoils - 2-04 to 0-10 - from their trip to the Stabannon Parnells grounds at Castlebellingham.

In difficult conditions it was L