Dublin outclass Laois to advance in All Ireland hurling qualifiers

Two goals in the opening seven minutes from Mark Schutte proved decisive as Dublin advanced to the next round of the All-Ireland SHC qualifiers with an emphatic 4-17 to 0-19 victory over Laois.

Their margin of victory at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise would have been much greater had Ger Cunningham’s men not hit 20 wides, 12 of which came after the restart when they had the breeze.

Laois never gave up but they just did not have the forwards to seriously trouble a Dublin rearguard where the full-back line of Niall Corcoran, Cian O’Callaghan and Paul Schutte were rock-solid throughout.

Laois never led, but did manage to get back on level terms on 24 minutes after falling 2-2 to 0-1 behind after just seven minutes.

Schutte did all the damage for Dublin, finding the net after less than half a minute as the suspect Laois defence was carved open.

A high ball from Johnny McCaffrey provided the platform for the second goal, with Schutte catching it before shooting to the net.

That goal left Laois with an almost impossible task but ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s men refused to lie down.

Wing-forward Cha Dwyer led the fightback with a string of excellent points, while Zane Keenan and Willie Hyland also hit the target.

Yet Dublin always had the ability to counter and pick off good points with Eamon Dillon shooting three in the opening half.

But he also hit as many wides from good positions as Dublin failed to make the most of the chances they were creating.

Paul Ryan and Dillon restored Dublin’s lead with quick-fire points after 27 minutes and Cunningham’s men never trailed after that.

Laois suffered another big blow three minutes from the interval when Schutte turned provider for Keaney to score a third goal to leave them leading by 3-9 to 0-13 at the interval.

Dublin had the wind behind them in the second half and wasted little time in pulling further ahead with Ryan, Keaney and Dillon all hitting the target in the opening four minutes.

Laois emptied their bench in an effort to save their season but they never looked like getting the goal that was required for them to mount a serious comeback.

The closest they got was five points when Tom Delaney added to efforts from Neil Foyle and Keenan, but at that stage there were only six minutes remaining.

Dublin shot a dozen wides - some were gilt-edged chances - in the second half but Ryan eased their nerves with another free to put two goals between them four minutes from the end.

And Dublin finished in style when Dotsie O’Callaghan scored their fourth goal just moments after coming on in the closing stages to send them into the next round with an impressive 10-point victory.

But the season is over for Laois as their lack of potency up front cost them dearly as they bowed out of the title race in disappointing fashion, having never managed to lead on their home pitch.

Dublin: G Maguire; N Corcoran, C O’Callaghan, P Schutte; C Crummey, L Rushe, S Barrett (0-1); J McCaffrey (0-1), R O’Dwyer (0-1); C Boland, E Dillon (0-4), D Sutcliffe; M Schutte (2-1), C Keaney (1-3), P Ryan (0-5, 4f).

Subs: S Durkin for Barrett (52), D O’Callaghan (1-0) for Boland (60), D Treacy for Ryan (68), D Plunkett (0-1) for Sutcliffe (70).

Laois: E Reilly; D Palmer, C Healy, B Stapleton; J Fitzpatrick (0-1), M Whelan (0-1), T Delaney (0-1); P Whelan, P Purcell; S Maher (0-1), Z Keenan (0-6, 5f), C Dwyer (0-3); T Fitzgerald, W Hyland (0-4), J Campion (0-1).

Subs: J Delaney for Stapleton (35), N Foyle (0-1) for Fitzgerald (43), J Walsh for Purcell (44), PJ Scully for Whelan (47), B Conroy for Maher (67).

Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).