DESPITE the unavailability of senior team players Ciaran Whelan and Jason Sherlock, Dublin successfully side-stepped a tricky first round assignment against Wexford in the Leinster Under-21 Football championship at Lawless Memorial Park, Swords, on Saturday.

Dublin full forward Damian Bolger's pinpoint free taking provided the platform for their healthy half-time lead. They led 0-10 to 0-3. Of this total, Bolger kicked four frees and a 45.

Into the new half, Wexford rifled over four points courtesy of Jason Lawlor (3), and the ultra reliable Leigh O'Brien. With Richie Purcell magnificent, the Slaneysiders looked the likely winners midway through the half. But, Bolger and Ray Cosgrave struck for vital points to edge Dublin into the quarter-final.

There was no shock at Newbridge, where Kildare repeated last year's win over Kilkenny. Senior player Padraig Graven made his presence felt by converting eight frees.

A lacklustre third quarter from the Lilywhites saw Kilkenny's Michael Gordon cut Kildare's 0-9 to 0-2 half time lead to four points. In fact, if goalkeeper Paul Flood had not saved a Gordon penalty, the game may have taken an unexpected turn. As it was, Kildare finished strongly to undermine much of Kilkenny's earlier work.

Westmeath's recent prominence at under age level continued at Pearse Park. But, not before Longford put them through a first-half ordeal. The stiff breeze played its part as the home side led 0-5 to 0-1 at the break. However, Westmeath made the home side suffer with a rejuvenated second-half showing.

Longford fell short in attack, where they depended too much on the scoring power of Philip O'Hara to pull them through. Then, when corner back John Gilchrist was sent to the line three minutes into the new half, Westmeath took the initiative. But, it wasn't until the last five minutes, when they shot five unanswered points, that they made their numerical superiority tell.