Dublin 2-21
Laois 2-10
Jackie Cahill reports from O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
DESSIE FARRELL’S DUBLIN survived a scare against Laois this evening before advancing to the EirGrid Leinster U21 football semi-finals.
The reigning provincial and All-Ireland champions were seven points clear in the first half before Laois came storming back to lead after half-time. But following Evan O’Carroll’s 35th minute point, Dublin rallied with a run of eight unanswered points to regain total control.
Laois were wasteful at a critical stage, however, as they hit three terrible wides after Niall Scully’s 37th minute equalising free for the Dubs. Conor McHugh, man of the match in last year’s All-Ireland U21 final and a recent Sigerson Cup winner with DCU, bagged 0-6 for Dublin but Killian O’Gara was in excellent form too.
Eoghan’s younger brother helped himself to 1-3 while midfield ace Shane Carthy added 1-1, including a killer goal at the death.
Dublin had threatened to run riot with the opening five scores of the game before Laois settled. But O’Gara’s clinical goal in the 11th minute was followed up by a McHugh point and Dublin had a seven-point lead – 1-6 to 0-2.
The visitors also rattled the Laois woodwork twice in the first half but Derek Conroy’s men were dogged and back in contention when captain Alan Farrell scorched through for a 13th minute goal. Tom Sheil, two-goal hero against Wexford, added another in the 24th minute and Laois were 2-5 to 1-11 down at half-time.
Incredibly, they led by 2-9 to 1-11 with a run of four unanswered points on the resumption but Scully’s free, coupled with Laois wastefulness, steadied the Dublin ship.
The champions upped the ante considerably down the home straight to run out big winners, as Carthy netted in stoppage time to put a flattering eleven-point margin between the sides.
Scorers for Dublin: Conor McHugh 0-6 (1f), Killian O’Gara 1-3, Shane Carthy 1-1, Niall Scully 0-4 (2f), Michael Deegan & Colm Basquel 0-2 each, Eric Lowndes, Eoin Murchin & Niall Walsh 0-1 each.
Scorers for Laois: Tom Sheil 1-3 (0-3f), Alan Farrell 1-0, Evan O’Carroll 0-3, Paul Kingston 0-2, Evin Keane & Daniel O’Reilly 0-1 each.
DUBLIN
1. Lorcan Molloy (St Annes)
2. Emile Mullan (Na Fianna)
3. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf)
4. Ross McGowan (Kilmacud Crokes)
5. Eric Lowndes (St Peregrines)
6. Conor Mullally (Cuala)
7. Eoin Murchin (Na Fianna)
8. Stephen Cunningham (St Sylvesters)
9. Shane Carthy (Naomh Mearnóg)
10. Robbie Gaughan (Ballinteer St Johns)
11. Michael Deegan (Donaghmore Ashbourne)
12. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street)
13. Killian O’Gara (Templeogue Synge Street)
14. Conor McHugh (Na Fianna)
15. Conor Basquel (Ballyboden St Endas)
Subs
24. Niall Walsh (Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruadh) for Gaughan (half-time)
20. Daithí Ó’Cathmhaoil (Kilmacud Crokes) for Cunningham (36)
18. Shane Clayton (Ballyboden St Endas) for Deegan (37)
21. Gavin Burke (St Vincents) for Basquel (b/c 56)
23. Shane Cunningham (Kilmacud Crokes) for Scully (57)
22. Aaron Byrne (Na Fianna) for O’Gara (59).
LAOIS
1. Adam O’Reilly (Mountmellick)
2. Liam Knowles (Stradbally)
3. Kieran Lennon (Timahoe)
4. Conor Dunne (Portlaoise)
5. Patrick O’Sullivan (Portarlington)
6. Conor Hogan (Courtwood)
21. Daniel O’Reilly (Graiguecullen)
14. Evan O’Carroll (Crettyard)
10. Paul Kingston (Arles-Killeen)
12. Nigel Murphy (Emo)
11. James Moore (Ballyfin)
9. Alan Farrell (Ballylinan-captain)
15. Tom Sheil (Stradbally)
23. Eoin Lowry (Killeshin)
13. Evin Keane (The Heath)
Subs
20. Niall Mullen (Mountmellick) for Murphy (half-time)
19. Ruaidrí C Fennell (Rosenalis) for Dunne (51)
22. Con Maher (Mountmellick) for Keane (53)
24. Danny Hickey (St Joseph’s) for Farrell (56)
18. Eoin Buggie (Stradbally) for Hogan (60+2)
Referee: Stephen Murphy (Louth).
