DUBLIN 4-11 CARLOW 0-11
Reigning provincial champions Dublin overcame some wayward shooting before advancing to the Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21 hurling championship semi-final after emerging victorious from Dr Cullen Park on Wednesday night.
Powered by the central diamond where Liam Rushe, Martin Quilty and Danny Sutcliffe impressed the Dubs were dominant but failed to fully translate possession into scores, amassing 21 wides over the course of the hour.
Dublin’s first goal arrived in the 20th minute when Sean McGrath’s long free was not dealt with by the Carlow defence and Rushe was on hand to take full advantage.
Two Eamon Dillon points before the interval helped Dublin to a 1-6 to 0-4 half-time lead.
Dublin restarted strongly with Dillon and McGrath on target. Then Kevin O’Loughlin rifled home Dublin’s second goal and the visitors were on their way to a semi-final meeting with Offaly.
Dublin sub Ciaran Brennan made a favourable impression with two goals as the Dubs emptied their bench – they face Offaly in two weeks time in Parnell Park.
SCORERS – Dublin: C Brennan 2-0, K O’Loughlin 1-2, L Rushe 1-1, E Dillon 0-3, S McGrath 0-2 (0-2f), R Mahon, B Mulligan, M Schutte 0-1 each. Carlow: P Coady 0-7 (0-7f), D English (f), E Byrne, D Roberts, P Kehoe 0-1 each.
DUBLIN – G McManus; B O’Carroll, J Dougan, C Gough; D Curran, M Quilty, S O’Connor; D Sutcliffe, B Mulligan; D Plunkett, L Rushe, R Mahon; K O’Loughlin, S McGrath, E Dillon. Subs: M Schutte for Mulligan (ht), D Kelly for O’Connor (42), C Brennan for McGrath (46), F Clabby for O’Carroll (56), T Connolly for Dillon (57).
CARLOW – N Roberts; S Kelly, G Kelly, T Nolan; D English, J Corcoran, James Doyle; P Coady, P McElligot; John Doyle, E Byrne, D Murphy; D Roberts, C Lawlor, P Kehoe. Subs: G Bennett for McElligot (ht), A McDonald for John Doyle (38), J Hughes for S Kelly (54)
REF – S Whelan (Wexford) .
