Second half show sees Dubs progress to Leinster SFC semi

Sun, 8th June 2014

DUBLIN 2-21 LAOIS 0-16

A much improved second half showing saw Dublin overcome Laois by 11 points in this Leinster SFC quarter-final at Croke Park on Sunday.

The Dubs face Wexford in their provincial semi-final in GAA headquarters on Sunday, June 29 after the upped the gears in the second period to shake off the O'Moore County's resilience.

Dublin played with greater pace, conviction and direction after the change of ends after an indifferent opening 35 minutes during which Laois played the better football.

Dublin also lost Bernard Brogan to injury in the first period as the early omens looked like they were conspiring against the reigning Leinster and All-Ireland champions.

However, Dublin did threaten goals in the opening period with Paddy Andrews hitting the underside of the crossbar in the 15th minute and Diarmuid Connolly striking a post two minutes later.

In first half injury-time Laois keeper, Graham Brody, smother an effort from Alan Brogan and reacted quickly to then deny Eoghan O'Gara from close range.

At the break Laois led 0-10 to 0-8 as they held the upperhand around the midfield sector and were winning most of the breaking ball.

Up front for the midlanders Donal Kingston and especially Ross Munnelly were causing problems for the Dublin defence - a problem the Dubs found answers to in the second half.

Dublin restarted the second period with two points from Kevin McManamon before Paul Flynn, who was very influential in the second half, slotted Dublin in front for the first time since the opening minute.

Jack McCaffrey had a goal effort deflected for a '45', which Stephen Cluxton, converted in the 43rd minute as Dublin began to move with more conviction in attack mode.

Twelve minutes into the second half came the crucial first goal when Paddy Andrews found Philly McMahon with a cross the square pass, the Ballymun Kickhams man placed Connolly who tucked his finish clincially into the far corner of Brody's net to propel the Dubs 1-13 to 0-11 in front.

Eight minutes later Kevin McManamon turned nothing into something when he rescued what looked a misdirected free from Flynn before immediately finding Michael Darragh Macauley who blasted to the net from close range.

Now six points clear, 2-13 to 0-13, Dublin never looked like being caught with subs Dean Rock, with three frees, and Cormac Costello, three from play, driving their side to victory.

SCORERS:

Dublin: D Connolly 1-1, P Flynn, C Costello, D Rock (0-3f) 0-3 each, MD Macauley 1-0, K McManamon, S Cluxton (0-2 '45') 0-2 each, J McCarthy, C O'Sullivan, P Andrews, A Brogan, E O'Gara, B Cullen, B Brogan (0-1f) 0-1 each.

Laois: R Munnelly 0-7 (0-2f), D Kingston 0-3 (0-2f), D Strong 0-2, J O'Loughlin, J Finn, D Conway, N Donoher 0-1 each.

Players:

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; D Daly, R O'Carroll, P McMahon; J Cooper, N Devereux, J McCarthy; MD Macauley, C O'Sullivan; P Flynn, P Andrews, D Connolly; A Brogan, E O"Gara, B Brogan.

Subs: K McManamon for B Brogan (inj 24), J McCaffrey for Daly (30), B Cullen for O'Gara (44), C Costello for A Brogan (51), D Rock for O'Sullivan (59), P Mannion for Andrews (67).

LAOIS: G Brody; P McMahon, P Begley, P O'Leary; D Strong, S Attride, C Begley; K Meaney, J O'Loughlin; J Finn, C Meredith, B Sheehan; R Munnelly, D Kingston, D Conway.

Subs: N Donoher for Sheehan (32), E Lowry for Meaney (51), R Kehoe for Attride (59), E O'Carroll for Conway (65), P Kingston for Finn (67).