Laois 2-15 Dublin 0-17:REIGNING LEINSTER champions Dublin were shocked last night at Portlaoise by a hungrier Laois side who were seeking a first victory in the grade in 10 years and a first win over the city team in 31 years.
The visitors were the better team in the opening half. Some excellent scores from Seán McGrath helped them into a 0-10 to 0-8 lead at the break, although Dublin keeper Ger McManus produced a brilliant penalty save after 20 minutes.
When John Hetherton edged the visitors four in front after 42 minutes it looked like they were on the way to victory. But then a great Laois move saw Shane Maher place Neil Foyle for a wonder goal followed by three Laois points on the spin.
McGrath twice kept cool from frees and the sides were level with just four minutes left. Neil Foyle edged Laois back into the lead but there was still more drama to come. Danny Sutcliffe looked set to level the match again but when he was dispossessed Laois swept down the field and sub Ben Reddin scored the match-clinching goal.
DUBLIN: G McManus; C Murphy, B O’Carroll, J Doughan; C Crummey, D Sutcliffe (0-1), C Moffat; G Whelan (0-2), S O’Connor (0-1); J Hetherton (0-2), N Reardon, M Schutte (0-1); E Dillon (0-2), S McGrath (0-7), T Connolly (0-1). Subs: E McKenna for B O’Carroll (inj, 17 mins), O O’Maoileidigh for C Crummey (46 mins), N Ryan for T Connolly (46 mins), P Elliot for G Whelan (55 mins).
LAOIS: E Fleming; P Flynn, G Burke, J Finane; J Fitzpatrick, A Phelan, N Unwin; D Freeman (0-1), B Dunne; P Whelan, P Lalor, S Maher (0-8); W Dunphy (0-3), N Foyle (1-1), D King (0-1). Subs: B Reddin (1-0) for P Whelan (17 mins), R King (0-1) for King (50 mins).
Referee: D Hughes (Carlow).
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