Leinster Senior Football Championship Quarter Final

Dublin 2-21

Laois 2-10

By Cian O’Connell at Nowlan Park

There was never any sign of a shock on a sultry evening at Nowlan Park as Dublin cruised to a convincing win.

Despite a wretched start Laois summoned a gutsy display, but Dublin were always in control advancing to a Leinster semi-final against either Meath or Louth.

Only 15 seconds had elapsed when Dean Rock expertly blasted a goal for Dublin, who commenced the contest in blistering fashion.

Following a lengthy stoppage Gary Walsh replied with a point, but Dublin pounced for a second major in the fifth minute courtesy of Diarmuid Connolly.

Laois were in deep distress, and four further points on the spin from Rock (3) and Ciaran Kilkenny ensured Dublin held a commanding 2-4 to 0-1 advantage by the 10th minute.

The reigning All Ireland champions were moving the ball sharply, but Laois did improve as the half lingered on in front of 16, 764 spectators.

Donie Kingston was a threat, while Paul Cahillane was sharp from frees, but the underdogs’ cause was scarcely aided by the dismissal of John O’Loughlin in the 27th minute for an off the ball collision with Michael Darragh MacAuley.

By that stage Laois were trailing 2-7 to 0-4 and Dublin finished the opening period strongly with Kilkenny and Connolly drilling over immaculate scores.

Jim Gavin’s charges departed with a merited 2-12 to 0-7 cushion with Laois completely aware that their second half would be a demanding damage limitation exercise.

After the restart Kevin McManamon and Kilkenny clipped points for Dublin, but Laois responded with a burst of pressure.

Damien O’Connor was fouled by Jonny Cooper, and Cahillane’s resultant penalty was crisp as Laois narrowed the gap to 10 points.

Then in the 47th minute Kingston’s cute flick released Stephen Attride, who drilled a goal for a pumped up Laois outfit.

A point from substitute Ross Munnelly brought Laois to within six, but two splendid Connolly efforts settled Dublin once again.

Rock remained influential for Dublin confidently kicking scores from a variety of angles, while promising Con O’Callaghan also enjoyed some encouraging moments.

O’Callaghan was fouled in the 68th minute which led to a penalty, but Connolly’s attempt was brilliantly saved by Graham Brody.  Ultimately, it didn’t matter hugely because sufficient Dublin damage had already been inflicted.

Scorers for Dublin: D Rock 1-10 (6fs), D Connolly 1-4, C Kilkenny 0-4, K McManamon 0-1, D Byrne 0-1, C O’Callaghan 0-1.

Scorers for Laois: P Cahillane 1-2 (1-0 pen, 2fs), S Attride 1-0, D Kingston 0-2 (1f), G Walsh 0-1, J O’Loughlin 0-1, K Meaney 0-1, R Munnelly 0-1, D Strong 0-1, D O’Connor 0-1.

**Dublin: **S Cluxton; D Byrne, J Cooper, P McMahon; J McCarthy, C O’Sullivan, J Small; B Fenton, MD MacAuley; C Kilkenny, K McManamon, D Connolly; P Mannion, D Rock, B Brogan.

Subs: D Bastick for MacAuley (28-44 mins), M Fitzsimons for McMahon (45 mins), C Costello for Brogan (50 mins), C O’Callaghan for Mannion (55 mins), D Daly for O’Sullivan (59 mins), E Lowndes for Cooper (62 mins), E O’Gara for Rock (62 mins)

Laois: G Brody; M Timmons, P Cotter, S Attride; D O’Connor, D Strong, G Dillon; J O’Loughlin, B Quigley; C Begley, P Cahillane, E O’Carroll; D Kingston, C Meredith, G Walsh.

Subs: K Meaney for O’Carroll (29 mins), N Donoher for Walsh (36 mins), R Munnelly for Dillon (48 mins), A Farrell for Cahillane (62 mins), G Hanrahan for Cotter (65 mins), R O’Connor for Meredith (65 mins)

Referee: C Branagan (Down).