Laois 2-15 Dublin 0-17
Reigning Leinster champions Dublin were shocked in Portlaoise by a hungrier Laois side who pulled off a first victory in the grade in 10 years, and a first over the Dubs in 31 years.
The visitors, with senior star Danny Sutcliffe at centre-back, were the better team in the opening half, and led 0-10 to 0-8 at the break — though they were grateful to ‘keeper Ger McManus for saving a penalty.
But Laois stormed ahead when Neil Foyle scored a wonder goal and the hosts followed with three points on the spin. Dublin rallied again, and with four minutes remaining the teams were level.
In a dramatic finish, Foyle pushed Laois back in front and, after Sutcliffe missed a golden chance, Ben Reddin’s magnificent goal sealed the issue.
SCORERS — Laois: S Maher 0-8, N Foyle 1-1, B Reddin 1-0, W Dunphy 0-3, D Freeman, D King, R King 0-1 each. Dublin: S McGrath 0-7, G Whelan, J Hetherton, E Dillon 0-2 each, D Sutcliffe, S O’Connor, M Schutte, T Connolly 0-1 each.
Laois– E Fleming; P Flynn, G Burke, J Finane; J Fitzpatrick, A Phelan, N Unwin; D Freeman, B Dunne; P Whelan, P Lalor, S Maher; W Dunphy, N Foyle, D King. Subs: B Reddin for P Whelan (17), R King for P Lalor ( 50).
Dublin — G McManus; C Murphy, B O’Carroll, J Doughan; C Crummey, D Sutcliffe, C Moffat; G Whelan, S O’Connor; J Hetherton, N Reardon, M Schutte; E Dillon, S McGrath, T Connolly. Subs: E McKenna for O’Carroll (17), O O Maoileidgh for Crummey (46), N Ryan for T Connolly (46), P Elliot for Whelan (55).
Ref — D Hughes (Carlow)
Irish Independent
