Will Scahill scored 0-2 as Westmeath overcame Dublin to reach the Leinster U20 football championship quarter-final on Wednesday evening. The Lake County will take on Kildare next Wednesday.

Thornton orchestrates superb Westmeath victory

Damien Maher

Published: Wed 8 Apr 2026, 10:35 PM

Last updated: Wed 8 Apr 2026, 10:51 PM

Leinster U20 football championship: Westmeath 2-16, Dublin 2-13

Recovering from a six-point deficit, Westmeath showed wonderful qualities of skill and endurance as they defeated Dublin to qualify for the Leinster U20 football quarter-final on Wednesday evening in Kinnegad.

The Lake County’s fine display sensationally dumped Dublin out of the championship and Westmeath will now take on Kildare for a place in the semi-final.

Dublin led by 1-5 to 0-2 after 10 minutes, the goal coming from full-forward Callum O'Dwyer, before Westmeath staged a remarkable recovery. Showing renewed belief, Kenny McKinley’s charges got back on level terms by the 23rd minute following a penalty goal by James McHugh, after Michael Weir was fouled.

At half-time, the Lake County led by 1-9 to 1-7 following late points from the outstanding Matthew Thornton, corner-back Taylor Slevin and McHugh (free).

Thornton continued to be the chief orchestrator as the game progressed, his intelligent use of possession a feature of Westmeath’s play, while Kealan Connell, Críostóir Ormsby and wing-forward Donnacha Maguire helped the home side gain an edge in the crucial midfield battle zone.

James McHugh scored 1-6 on the evening, including a first half penalty goal and a wonderful two-pointer from play in the 41st minute.

The game was in the balance as Dublin nudged a point ahead by the 38th minute, but Will Scahill scored a classy point having cut inside the cover to level matters. Thornton and McHugh - who shot a quality two-pointer - both found the range to leave the home side leading by 1-13 to 1-10 after 41 minutes.

Westmeath had to defend with discipline and soak up plenty of pressure; Dublin missed a goal chance when sub Caoilinn O’Connell shot wide at the near post, following Alex Carolan’s pass in the 46th minute and that proved a key moment. Two minutes later, a superb goal from Kealan Connell put Westmeath in a commanding position (2-14 to 1-11), the midfielder finding the net after Thornton and sub Seán Whittaker created an opening.

Dublin responded when Lenny Cahill finished to the roof of the net in the 51st minute and just two points separated the sides after Tristan Donnelly quickly shot over. Michael Weir was at the end of a terrific move, orchestrated by Thornton, to put Westmeath three clear by the 53rd minute and Kealan Connell added a wonderful point. Late Dublin pressure yielded just a Billy Shouldice minor and it was Westmeath who advanced to a quarter-final meeting with Kildare next Wednesday.

Kildare, as winners of their group, may well have home advantage for that quarter-final clash (it has yet to be confirmed), but Westmeath will approach it in buoyant mood after this impressive victory.

Victory completes an unprecedented minor and U20 double for Westmeath over the metropolitans who had a host of All-Ireland winners on the backroom team, including Johnny Cooper, Michael Darragh McCauley, Kevin McManamon and Tommy Drumm. It has been a remarkable week for Westmeath football.

Scorers - Westmeath: J McHugh 1-6 (1-0pen; 3f; 1 2pt); M Thornton 0-4 (1f); K Connell 1-1; W Scahill 0-2; M Weir, T Slevin, C Ormsby 0-1 each. Dublin: C O’Dwyer 1-3 (0-1f); L Cahill 1-2; D Magee 0-3; L O’Boyle 0-2 (2pt); C Hickey, B Shouldice, T Donnelly 0-1 each.

Westmeath: James Mitchell; Taylor Slevin, Ty Masterson, Adam Glynn; Conor Daly, Cian Whitney, Brian Doyle; Kealan Connell, Críostóir Ormsby; Donnacha Maguire, Will Scahill, Michael Weir; Matthew Thornton, James McHugh, Cillian Rochford. Subs: Seán Whittaker for Rochford (44), Henry Duncan for Daly (46), Paul Keegan for Doyle (51), Brian Ronan for McHugh (60), Neale Pierson for Thornton (inj., 60+2).

Dublin: Cillian Campion; Seán Keogh, Dara O'Sullivan, Finn Costello; Ryan Mitchell, Ciarán O'Connor, Davin Lynch; Finn McGinnis, Alex Carolan; Donach Magee, Luke O'Boyle, Oisín Costello; Cathal Hickey, Callum O'Dwyer, Lenny Cahill. Subs: Caoilinn O’Connell for Mitchell (h-t), Tristan Donnelly for Costello (h-t), Senan Ryan for Carolan (46), Billy Shouldice for Hickey (46), Rían Doherty for Magee (57).

Ref: Patrick Coyle (Meath).