Dublin - Leinster U21 Football Champions 2009

Dublin 0-12 Laois 0-9

Dublin regained their Leinster U21 title, last won in 2005, with a battling performance in Portlaoise against bookies favourites Laois.  On a very windy day the Dubs played with the advantage in the 1^st period and dominated throughout.  Jim Gavin’s charges had opened up a 4 point lead at half time but it could have been more or less with goal chances missed by both sides.  Of most worry to the Blues must have been two Laois chances made when the ball was dropped in over the heads of the full back line.  But strong defending from Gill, O’Carroll & Moore confidently supported by keeper McDonnell kept the Laois men at bay.

Dublin stamped their authority on the game by kicking the 1^st two scores of the 2^nd half, Paddy Andrews effort being the pick of the 2.  Laois applied sever pressure recording the next 4 scores & there was now only 2 points in it 09 – 07.  But some astute substitutions which saw the introduction of the pacy Nicky Devereux and the midfield physique of John Sheanon saw the Dubs home.

There were stars all around the field: the fullback line was excellent, brilliantly supported by Cooper & captain O’Sullivan in defence, while up front a new star of the future emerged with Dean Kelly’s pace destroying his man time and time again.  The Dubs proceed to face Munster champions Cork on 18 April.

Great credit to Jim Gavin & Declan Darcy who never got the appropriate credit for Dublin’s last All-Ireland U21 success.  One sour note was the shocking behaviour of a small number of Laois followers in the ground who were handing out some racial abuse, the stewards need to take closer attention in future games.  Dublin gave them their answer on the field.

Dublin:  Dominic McDonnell (St. Sylverter’s), Colin Moore (Ballymun Kickhams), Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes), Hugh Gill (St. Vincent’s), Johnny Cooper (Na Fianna), Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes), Niall Brogan (Thomas Davis) (0-01) (Nicky Devereux (Ballinteer St. Johns (50)), Colm Murphy (St. Jude’s) (James Whelan (59)), Kevin Nolan (Kilmacud Crokes), Paddy O’Connor (Thomas Davis) (0-03) (John Sheanon (Cuala) (45)), Luke Sweetman (Erins Isle) (Ted Furman (Ballymun Kickhams) (40)), Dean Kelly (Trinity Gales) (0-03), Barry O’Rorke (Kilmacud Crokes) (0-01), Paddy Andrews (St. Brigid’s) (0-01), Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams) (0-03).

Laois:  Martin Dowling, Robert Kehoe (Joe Mulhare (55)), John Scully, Niall Gorman, Richard Ryan (Kieran Lillis (59)), Ger Reddin, Simon Shorthall (0-01), John O’Loughlin (0-01), Daragh Meredith, Brian Glynn, Zach Tuohy (0-02), Conor Boyle, James Doyle, Donal Kingston (0-05), Jason Moore (Ambrose Doran (45)).