Two first half tries gave Wexford the platform needed to win the Under-17 Leinster League title against a battling Longford side in Portlaoise.

Amid the impressive surroundings at the Laois venue, Wexford started the game well and notched up two tries in the opening 25 minutes, one of which was converted, to give them a 12-0 lead.

Despite the scoreline, it was an evenly contested first half, with Longford making great headway with runs from Aaron Beirne, Michael Bannon, George McDermott and full back Brian Collum, who kicked and chased well.

During that opening 20-minute period, Longford were unlucky not to notch the first score of the game. Aaron Beirne made one of his trademark runs off a lineout, and offloaded superbly to George McDermott, who looked to be over the line, but the Wexford defence swarmed around, managed to force a penalty that enabled them to clear their lines.

Longford did manage to get over the line in the first half, for a try in the corner, following a series of phases, before the ball went wide to Keith Masterson, who scored the five-pointer. Finnbarr McGowan was narrowly wide with the conversion attempt from the touchline to leave Longford 12-5 behind at the break.

Longford enjoyed more possession in the second half, but couldn't make it show on the scoreboard. Wexford nudged further ahead with a penalty, but in the final ten minutes McGowan added another penalty to put just a converted try between the teams.

Longford pushed for that vital score in the closing stages, but Wexford managed to force crucial turnovers and see out the game to win the league title.

Longford
1. Peter Mimnagh, 2. Micheal Lannon, 3. Conor Bohan; 4. Kevin Rodgers, 5. Jonathan Magan; 6. Ivor McCormack, 7. George Mc Dermott Jnr, 8. Aaron Beirne; 9. Owen McGowan, 10. Finnbarr McGowan; 11. Keith Masterson, 12. Micheal Bannon, 13. Jack Duignan, 14. Tony Shanley; 15. Brian Collum. Subs: 16. Stephen McLoughlin, 17. Steven Monahan, 18. Donnacha Crosbie, 19. Cillien Farrell, 20. Paul Hughes, 21. Gary Tobin, 22. Anthony Keane, 23. Sahne McVeigh, 24. Shane Skelly, 25. Aran Smith, 26. Joe McGowan (Injured), 27. Danielle Draghici.