Callaghan delighted with the way the players dug in to win

Meath will face Laois in the Leinster u-20 FC semi-final next Tuesday (9th July) at 7.30pm at O'Moore Park.

The semi-final is scheduled as a home venue for the winner of the Laois / Westmeath quarter-final, but the venue is still subject to confirmation.

Laois won that game tonight with an extra-time victory by 2-20 to 0-20 against Westmeath.

It was tight game and the sides were level 1-6 to 0-9 at the interval and 1-12 to 0-15 at full-time, but Laois forged ahead in extra-time.

Meath manager Barry Callaghan was impressed with the performance of his team in tonight's game against Offaly who had a game already with a 3-22 to 2-4 win against Carlow two weeks ago.

"We were playing an excellent team tonight, Offaly mightn't just get the credit they deserved," said the Meath manager.

They won their League and scored 3-22 against Carlow in the championship, they are an excellent team. 

"Every championship game is hard work and our guys worked extremely hard tonight, we know that they will improve with every game.

"The game ebbed and flowed, it was a great game of football and I was delighted with the way our lads dug in and just decided that they were going to win tonight.

"They kept battling, they never gave up and they held their nerve, it was a good start with the goal inside a minute and that was important, but the good finish was also important and we managed both tonight.

"We will enjoy this win, any time you win a championship match you have to enjoy it.

"We are out next Tuesday night against Laois and that will be another big test, we will get into recovery mode tomorrow night and start our preparations then," he concluded.