LEINSTER U-21 HC: FREE-TAKER Kevin O'Reilly scored half of Dublin's tally as last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists advanced thanks to a slender three-point win over Laois in the Leinster under-21 hurling championship at Portlaoise last night.

The sides were level on eight occasions, and it was only a late scoring flourish from Ross O'Carroll and O'Reilly (two) which ensured Dublin booked a semi-final spot.

Dublin led by 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time with Zane Keenan scoring most of the hosts' tally, and in the second half his side came right back into contention when a 41st-minute goal from John Gaughan cut the gap to two points.

Although Laois levelled thanks to scores from Keenan and defender Daryl Dooley, and were level on two further occasions in the closing 10 minutes, the hosts' shooting was erratic in front of the posts as Dublin pulled away for victory.

DUBLIN: F McGarry; P Schutte, P Callaghan, R Drumgoole; P Kelly, T Brady, J McCaffrey; J Boland (0-1), S Lambert (0-1); S Durkin (0-1), D O'Dwyer (0-1), P Ryan; R O'Carroll (0-4), K O'Reilly (0-9, five frees, two 65s, one sideline cut), J Maher (0-1). Subs: B O'Rorke for Maher (37 mins), O Gough for Callaghan (43 mins), P Garbutt for Durkin (51 mins), S O'Rorke for Lambert (59 mins).

LAOIS: P Carroll; J Prior, D Maher, A Kavanagh; D Dooley (0-1), T Burke, B Stapleton; C Delaney, M Bermingham; Z Keenan (0-9, six frees, one 65), J Gaughan (1-0), W Hyland (0-1); S Burke, D Peacock (0-1), D O'Mahoney. Subs: N Delaney for O'Mahoney (43 mins), R Delaney for N Delaney (45 mins), N Delaney for R Delaney (60 mins).

Referee: A Lagrue (Kildare).