LEINSTER UNDER-21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST ROUND Louth 6-34 Kilkenny 0-2:It was a slaughter at Ballyragget last night but Louth did no more than give free expression to their liberal talents when thrashing Kilkenny.

The winners set a frightening pace and the ticket to face Longford in the next round was in the bag after 10 minutes when they were 1-8 to 0-0 ahead. The goal was cracked home by Ruairí Moore after a flowing move. The winners led by a staggering 1-21 to 0-0 at half-time.

SCORERS– Louth: C Bellew 1-5; B Berrill 0-5; B Hamilton 1-2; S O'Hanlon, W Woods 0-4 each; E O'Neill, R Moore, B Rogan 1-1 each; B Kieran 1-0; E O'Connor; P Kirwan, N Devlin 0-3 each; S McMahon, E Duffy 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: B Byrne 0-2 (0-1 free).