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Result: Dublin 1-12 Laois 0-12
18.41 – It’s expected to be a stroll in Croke Park for the Leinster and All Ireland champions, even with their patchy form throughout this 2012 season. Laois are perceived to be the weakest team left in the competition and that they are even in the last eight is quite an achievement. Here’s our preview and we are predicting a 10 point win for Dublin. http://thescore.thejournal.ie/dublin-v-laoise-544474-Aug2012/
18.46 – In truth it’s a no-win situation for Dublin. If they take apart Laois, people will say the opposition were poor, if it’s close they’ll be hammered for the same flaws that blighted them in the first half against Wexford and second half against Meath. They could do with a statement win though and they do have questions to answer, particularly at the back where they’ve so far lacked the defensive intensity that saw them keep the opposition to low scores a year ago and created the turnovers that allowed them to prosper up front.
18.52 – As for Laois, so much has to go right. They need Dublin to play poorly, they need to avoid taking the ball into the tackle, they need Kevin Meaney and Peter O’Leary to have the games of their lives, they need John O’Loughlin, Colm Begley and Brendan Quigley to continue their recent strand of great form, they need Ross Munnelly and Colm Kelly to kick eight points between them at least, and they need other forwards to step up. That’s asking a lot and in truth, there’s not a hope of it all happening.
19.06 – Dublin 0-1 Laois 0-1: 6 mins – One change to that Dublin team, Diarmuid Connolly has started in place of Alan Brogan as Paul Flynn scores. At the other Laois are carrying the ball into tackles too much and not moving it quick enough. They do get on the board through a really good Colm Kelly free though.
19.26 – Dublin 0-6 Laois 0-6: 25 mins – Great 45 from Cluxton near the Cusack Stand touchline and his side are in the lead. These last few minutes Eoghan O’Gara – so impressive when the sides met in the league – has began to find space and he is making an impact. Kevin Meaney is now on him as he goes into full-forward for the moment. In saying that, Dublin are giving away a lot of ball in the half-forward line with aimless passing and the backs continue to foul too much. That’s led to an easy free for Ross Munnelly. Level again.
19.38 – Dublin 1-6 Laois 0-7: half-time – Eamonn Fennell goes into the book for a lazy tackle there, and Gary Walsh gets a point before the break. Dublin have been poor and given away a lot of ball as they take it out of defence but don’t take away from Laois. They’ve stood up and given themselves a real chance. The full-back line has been hanging on to Eoghan O’Gara and Bernard Brogan but the damage has been minimal, they are doing well in midfield, particularly Colm Begley, Ross Munnelly has been hugely busy but so have Gary Walsh and Damien O’Connor while the full-forward line hasn’t been bad either. Game on. We’ll be back after the break where there’s still all to play for.
19.55 – We are back on here.
20.01 – Dublin 1-7 Laois 0-8: 42 mins – That’s a great free from Colm Kelly, well outside 45. Meanwhile Ciaran Kilkenny is on for Diarmuid Connolly. Dublin have failed to up their game after that sluggish first half and Laois are in with every chance if they hang tough and tag on some scores.
20.23 – Dublin 1-10 Laois 0-11: 63 mins – Dublin with 14 men back here and Laois are giving it their all but giving away too much ball through aimless passing. Such a turnover sees Kilkenny win a free, but Tomas Quinn – just on for Bernard Brogan who had a poor all-round game – misses it by a long way.
20.35 – Dublin 1-12 Laois 0-12: full-time - There isn’t and Laois players fall to their knees after a hell of an effort. Dublin were poor, but credit their opponents on their best performance in an age. It’ll mean little to Justin McNulty and his players though as an own goal is all they are short of the champions. As for Dublin, again they don’t look the side of a year ago but again they win. Their defence gave away far too many simple frees, their midfield only really took control in the final quarter and their shot selection up front was poor. That’s two below-average games for Bernard Brogan although they have Alan Brogan to come back and he is the key man. Nothing for Mayo to fear there, although if rumours that Andy Moran’s cruciate is gone and his season is over are true, then that’s massive. Good enough for now from the champions, but much more will be needed if they aren’t to be former champions by the end of the season.
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