U21 footballers open defence of titles against Laois

Dublin's starting team for Wednesday night's EirGrid Leinster U21FC quarter-final against Laois in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise (7.30) contains seven players who started last year's All-Ireland U21FC Final victory over Roscommon.

However, talented forward Cormac Costello picked up an injury in last Sunday's NFL defeat to Kerry in Killarney and has been ruled out of contention for a starting berth.

The seven players who started against Roscommon in last year's All-Ireland decider are goalkeeper Lorcan Molloy, defenders David Byrne, Ross McGowan, Eric Lowndes and Conor Mulally while up front Niall Scully and Conor McHugh are named to face the O'Moore County.

Killian O'Gara, younger brother of Dublin senior Eoghan, has been selected at right full-forward while Eoin Murchan and Colm Basquel - two players who played a big role in Dublin's minors winning last year's Leinster MFC title - have also made the starting selection.

DUBLIN (U21FC v Laois)

1 Loran Molloy (St Anne's)

2 Emile Mullan (Na Fianna)

3 David Byrne (Nh Olaf)

4 Ross McGowan (Kilmacud Crokes)

5 Eric Lowndes (St Peregrine's)

6 Conor Mulally (Cuala)

7 Eoin Murchan (Na Fianna)

8 Stephen Cunningham (St Sylvester's)

9 Shane Carthy (Nh Mearnóg

10 Robbie Gaughan (Ballinteer St John's)

11 Michael Deegan (Donaghmore Ashbourne)

12 Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge St)

13 Killian O'Gara (Templeogue Synge St)

14 Conor McHugh (Na Fianna)

15 Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda's)

Subs

16 Karl Grimes (Nh Fionnbarra)

17 Martin Cahilan (Cuala)

18 Shane Clayton (Ballyboden St Enda's)

19 Jack Mullins (St Brigid's)

20 Daithí O Cathmhaoil (Kilmacud Crokes)

21 Gavin Burke (St Vincent's)

22 Aaron Byrne (Na Fianna)

23 Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille)

24 Niall Walsh (St Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh)

25 Tom Quinn (Castleknock)

26 Tom Hanifin (Ballyboden St Enda's)

27 Aengus Farrell (Na Fianna)

28 Eoin Fletcher (Nh Maur)

29 Shane Cunningham (Kilmacud Crokes)

30 Glenn O'Reilly (Na Fianna)

Wednesday 4^th March 2015

Newtowncashel (7.30) Longford v Louth

Eirgrid Leinster Under 21 FC Qt. Final Ref: David Hickey (Carlow)

O Moore Park, Portlaoise (7.30) Laois v Dublin

Eirgrid Leinster Under 21 FC Qt. Final Ref: Stephen Murphy (Louth)

Pairc Tailteann, Navan (7.30) Meath v Westmeath

Eirgrid Leinster Under 21 FC Qt. Final Ref: Fergal Smyth (Offaly)

Thursday 5^th March 2015

O Moore Park, Portlaoise (7.30) Offaly v Kildare

Eirgrid Leinster Under 21 FC Qt. Final Ref: Patrick Maguire (Longford)