Leinster U21: Powerful Dublin surge past Laois
Leinster U21: Powerful Dublin surge past Laois
Leinster U21: Powerful Dublin surge past Laois
EIRGRID LEINSTER U21 FOOTBALL QUARTER-FINAL: LAOIS 2-10 DUBLIN 2-21
Dessie Farrell's Dublin came through a real test before advancing to the semi-finals of the EirGrid Leinster U21 football championship on Wednesday evening.
The Sky Blues led by seven points in the first half but had to come from behind after Evan O'Carroll pointed to hand Laois a 2-9 to 1-11 lead in the second period.
Dublin equalised through Niall Scully's free and after Laois registered three bad wides, the visitors added a further seven points without reply to move out of danger.
Dublin, reigning Leinster and All-Ireland champions in this grade, banged over the first five scores of the game and were in cruise control when Killian O'Gara netted in the eleventh minute.
But Laois, who trailed by 2-5 to 1-11 at half-time, had first half goals from Tom Sheil and captain Alan Farrell.
Dublin found the net again late on through Shane Carthy, by which point their place in the semi-final against Longford was well secured.
Scorers for Laois: T Sheil 1-3 (3f), A Farrell 1-0, E O'Carroll 0-3, P Kingston 0-2, E Keane 0-1 D O'Reilly 0-1.
Scorers for Dublin: C McHugh 0-6 (1f), K O'Gara 1-3, S Carthy 1-1, N Scully 0-4 (2f), M Deegan 0-2 C Basquel 0-2, E Lowndes 0-1, E Murchan 0-1, N Walsh 0-1.
LAOIS: A O'Reilly; L Knowles, K Lennon, C Dunne; P O'Sullivan, C Hogan, D O'Reilly; E O'Carroll, P Kingston; N Murphy, J Moore, A Farrell; T Sheil, E Lowry, E Keane. Subs: N Mullen for Murphy (h.t.), R.C. Fennell for Dunne (51), C Maher for Keane (53), D Hickey for Farrell (56), E Buggie for Hogan (60+2).
DUBLIN: L Molloy; E Mullan, D Byrne, R McGowan; E Lowndes, C Mullally, E Murchin; Stephen Cunningham, S Carthy; R Gaughan, M Deegan, N Scully; K O'Gara, C McHugh, C Basquel. Subs: N Walsh for Gaughan (h.t.), D Ó'Cathmhaoil for Cunningham (36), S Clayton for Deegan (37), G Burke for Basquel (b/c 56), Shane Cunningham for Scully (57), A Byrne for O'Gara (59).
Referee: S Murphy (Louth).
Report: Jackie Cahill