U21 footballers progress to Leinster final

Sun, 20th March 2016

DUBLIN 2-17 LAOIS 2-5

Dublin's under-21 footballers set up a provincial decider against Kildare following their strong semi-final showing when outcoming Laois by 12 points in Parnell Park on Saturday.

Fresh from their All-Ireland club success with Ballyboden St Enda's both Colm Basquel and Shane Clayton were introduced off the bench in the second half to telling effect as Dessie Farrell's men surged clear in the second half.

Colm Basquel made an immediate positive impact with a goal and finished the game with 1-3, all from play, to his credit.

The fact that Dublin had eight different scorers reflects the team work of this side and they will need to be at the best in the provincial final against a highly-rated Kildare side who outclassed Westmeath in their semi-final earlier in the week.

Dublin started well to open up a 0-5 to 0-1 lead inside the opening 13 minutes with the impressive Glenn O'Reilly starting the scoring before Martin Cahilan, Michael Deegan and two Con O'Callaghan frees afforded the Dubs a great start.

However, a terrific individual goal from Laois senior Evan O'Carroll cut the deficit by the 15th minute but Dublin responded in the best possible fashion when Declan Monaghan initiated a move that culminated with Con O'Callaghan putting Chris Sallier into the clear and he struck clinically to the Laois net as Dublin led 1-8 to 1-4 at the break.

Colm Basquel's introduction strengthened the Dublin attack and his goal kept the visitors at arm's length before a Tom Shiels goal gave Laois fresh hope as they trailed 2-10 to 2-5 by the 46th minute.

But it was to be Dublin's day as they powered to the finishing line with seven unanswered points including one form impressive defender Seán McMahon.

Both teams finished with 14 men after Laois' Brian Daly and Dublin's Tom Lahiff were both red-carded in separate incidents.

SCORERS – Dublin: C Basquel 1-3, C O’Callaghan 0-5 (0-2f), C Sallier 1-1, G O’Reilly 0-3, M Cahilan 0-2, S McMahon, M Deegan, L Molloy (f) 0-1 each. Laois: E O’Carroll 1-2 (0-1f), T Shiels 1-1, N Murphy, B Keogh 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: L Molloy; D Monaghan, S McMahon, E Smith; B Howard, C O’Shea, M Cahilan; A Foley, K Deeley; T Lahiff, C O’Callaghan, G O’Reilly; C Sallier, M Deegan, D Spillane. Subs: C Basquel for Deegan (36, black card), S Clayton for Deeley (45, black card), E Murchan for Spillane (48), P Small for Sallier (54), D McIlgorm for Foley (56), TO'Sullivan for O'Callaghan (64).

LAOIS: A Cooney; L Knowles, A Campion, E Buggie; T Collins, D O’Reilly, E Buggie; R Dowling, E O’Carroll; M Keogh, B Daly, D Hickey; E Lowry, N Murphy, S Moore. Subs: T Shiels for Moore (23, black card), A Dowling for Buggie (ht), C Dunne for Dowling (43), E Keane for Dunne (56 inj).

REF: F Smyth (Offaly).

Our U21 Footballers now face Kildare in the Leinster Final on Saturday, April 2nd at 2pm in Páirc Tailteann, Navan.