A GOAL scored by full forward Ollie McDonnell eight minutes into the second half, was the outstanding feature of this Leinster Under 21 football semi final at Navan yesterday, as Louth cruised into a final clash with neighbours Meath.

Peter O'Kane and McDonnell combined for a brilliant bout of passing, with the latter crashing a shot to the net, which effectively put Kildare out of the competition. It left the scoreboard reading 1-9 to 0-4 after Louth had led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.

It took Kildare 19 minutes to get their first score, a point from midfielder Barry Quinn, and by then Louth had sent over five, three of them from Niall Callan.

Kildare lacked scoring power - they failed to score from play in the second half - and their defeat could have been heavier but for a couple of fine saves by goalkeeper Paul Flood.