Morrissey puts game beyond Laois

WHATEVER Babs Keating had in mind to say to his `shadow' Laois team after this undistinguished Walsh Cup senior Hurling clash at Parnell Park yesterday would have to wait until the training ground during the week.

At least the Laois manager's hasty departure from the ground would seem to suggest as much. Maybe he was furious over a late disallowed Laois `goal' by Tom Kenna.

With the Camross players holding themselves in reserve for next Sunday's All-Ireland club semifinal showdown with Galway's Athenry and a number of other key players out of action, it was never going to be easy for Laois.

Yet, it took a piece of Eamonn Morrissey magic to more or less settle the issue with 12 minutes remaining.

It was entirely fitting that wing back Rory Boland was involved in the decisive score. He lofted a huge free from his own 45 towards the former Kilkenny hero deep down on the right. Although marked closely, Morrissey snatched the ball out of the heavens and sidestepped his way inside the Laois cover before drilling a knee-high shot to the net.

The score enabled Dublin to free themselves of a close nip and tuck scoring trend for a four points lead. Dublin manager Michael O'Grady felt free to experiment and by the time Dublin began to show an established ability to finish strongly, none of his forwards were playing in their starting positions.

Morrissey, whom O'Grady reckoned to be the key attacker lived up to that rating with 1-3.

Declan Conroy turned in a tireless display at midfield for Laois. His determination was matched by colleagues Tony Fitzpatrick and Tom Kenna, in a full forward line, that accounted for all but a point of the Laois tally. Conor McCann's last point from half-way was indicative of Dublin's impressive finish and it was a score that was all the more meritorious in view of the fact that he had `lost' his midfield marker Conroy.

McCann went closest to scoring the first goal of the match when, coming in on the end of a Morrissey lob, only to hit wide., Thus Laois managed to hold a slight advantage at the interval, 0-5 to 0-4.

McCann, within 30 seconds of, the resumption, levelled with a great point. Points by Andy Bergin, and Tom Kenna gave Laois a two points advantage, before Brian MeMahon and Morrissey put Dublin back in front. Then, Morrissey's big moment arrived and the game, was over as a contest.

O'Grady has no doubts that his", biggest test since taking the Dublin reins will be against Offaly in the semi-final on Sunday next.