Boyle leads rout of Carlow champions

A three-goal blitz from Erin's Isle full forward line in the first 15 minutes put the Dublin champions out of sight of Old Leighlin of Carlow in the first round of the Leinster club football championship at Parnell Park yesterday.

Old Leighlin, who only moved up from the intermediate grade last year, appeared overawed by the occasion and never recovered from Isle's opening salvo which saw them leading by 3-6 to 0-0 half way through the first half.

After two quick points by corner forward Ciaran O'Hare and wing-forward Paudge Cunningham, full forward Robbie Boyle got the goal bonanza underway in the fourth minute, finishing Eddie Barr's long ball to the net from close range.

Three minutes later, after Keith Barr and Charlie Redmond had cut a swathe through Old Leighlin's scattered defence, O'Hare smashed home number two. At that stage the Barr triumvirate of Keith and Johnny at midfield and Eddie at centre forward were winning everything down the centre and finding their inside forwards, who accounted for all but four of the Isle's total, with ease.

After adding two more points, the rampant Boyle fielded Johnny Barr's long delivery in the 14th minute and passed to corner forward Niall Crosson who finished it to the net. Old Leighlin's best player, full forward John Nevin, got their first score two minutes later but the Carlow side went in trailing by 3-11 to 0-3 at half-time.

Despite the wholesale changes instigated by Old Leighlin for the second half, Crosson, O'Hare, Boyle and company continued on their merry way, Charlie Redmond's indifferent display not mattering a jot.

Boyle's shot to the roof of the net after a storming solo from midfield was the highlight of the second half and Johnny Barr, not always noted for his quality pointtaking, wrapped up a miserable day for the visitors with points from a 45 and a 40-metre free in the closing stages.

Erin's Isle: T Quinn; K Murray, J J O'Keefe, M Naughton; D Collins, N Deegan, G O'Connell; K Barr, J Barr (0-2, one free, one 45); C Redmond (0-1, free), E Barr, P Cunningham (0-1); C O'Hare (2-5, two frees), R Boyle (2-5), N Crosson (1-8, two frees). Subs: A Gavigan and S McCormack for M Naughton and M Deegan, 42 minutes; J Fagan for K Barr, 44 mins.

Old Leighlin: S Bambrick; N Sheehy, N Bambrick, K Hayden; M Jordan, T Connolly, S McClean; R McGrath, N Jordan; J Hayden, B O'Brien (0-1), S Hayden (0-1); M Roche (0-1), J Nevin (0-2), B Lawlor. Subs: J Carey for B Lawlor, 18 mins; R Burke for N Jordan 50 mins.

Referee: K Levins (Louth).