Gaelic Games

Dublin kick into gear in second half to see off Laois

Ger Cunningham’s side turned on the style in the second period, running out easy winners

Neil Foyle of Laois in action against Eoghan O’Donnell of Dublin during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Dublin and Laois at Parnell Park. Photo: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Sat Jul 1 2017 - 20:54

Dublin 2-28 Laois 1-15

A strong second half saw Dublin to a comfortable victory over a determined Laois outfit in this SHC Qualifier at Parnell Park.

A 41st minute Eamon Dillon goal helped Ger Cunningham’s side on their way to shake off the youthful O’Moore’s, many of whom played under-21 hurling this summer.

The sides were level on four occasions in the opening half, and also early on the restart, before Dublin gradually pulled away.

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The hosts contained Laois to just two points in second half normal time, after a bright opening by the visitors.

Laois led for the majority of the opening half, with fine performances throughout from the likes of Leigh Bergin, Patrick Purcell, Ciaran Collier, Cahir Healy and Mark Kavanagh.

But it was Dillon’s goal which put Dublin into a 1-14 to 0-13 lead, and saw them score 2-14 unanswered, including a second goal from the Naomh Fionnbarra clubman.

Laois finished with 14 men after a second yellow card for Healy in the closing stages, after Dillon had rattled the net for a second time.

The O’Moore’s worked hard until the bitter end, and finished the game with an unanswered 1-2 in injury-time.

Matthew Whelan broke their score-less spell with a point from play, before keeper Enda Rowland blazed a 35 metre free past a crowded goalmouth to the corner of the net.

Kavanagh added further to his tally, but it was too late, as Dublin claimed a 16-point win.

DUBLIN: C Dooley; C O'Callaghan, E O'Donnell, F Ó Riain Broin; S Moran, C Crummey, S Barrett (0-1); B Quinn (0-1), N McMorrow (0-1); D Burke (0-2), L Rushe, E Dillon (2-4); C O'Sullivan (0-3), R O'Dwyer, D Treacy (0-9, six frees).

Subs: F Whitely (0-2) for McMorrow (48 mins); D O'Callaghan (0-2) for O'Sullivan (60 mins); F McGibb for Burke (62 mins); T Connolly for Moran (64 mins); J Hetherton (0-1, free)for O'Dwyer (64 mins).

LAOIS: E Rowland (1-1, 1-1 frees); D Palmer, L Bergin, L Cleere; E Killeen, M Whelan (0-1), R Mullaney; P Purcell (0-5), C Collier (0-1); C Healy, S Downey, J Kelly; N Foyle, A Dunphy, M Kavanagh (0-6, two frees).

Subs: C Taylor (0-1) for Kelly (half-time); A Corby for A Dunphy (53 mins); S Bergin for Downey (56 mins); D Hartnett for Killeen (71 mins); P Lawlor for Collier (71 mins).

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow).

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