Dubs demolish Laois while Louth stun Westmeath as Leinster SFC semi-finals set
April 23, 2023
Dublin's Con O'Callaghan and Trevor Collins of Laois ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Next weekend’s Leinster senior football championship semi-finals are now set following this afternoon’s results in the eastern province.
Dublin’s 27-point demolishment of Laois at O’Moore Park means that the capital men will face Kildare next Sunday, April 30th, at Croke Park (4pm).
Con O’Callaghan (1-7), Colm Basquel, Ciaran Kilkenny and Lee Gannon all found the net for Dessie Farrell’s men as they announced their arrival into the championship in emphatic fashion, recording a 4-30 to 2-9 victory in the end that sees the O’Moore men Tailteann Cup bound.
Kildare were also comfortable in a 1-17 to 0-10 win over Wicklow at Netwatch Cullen Park, where Paddy Woodgate registered the game’s only goal with 10 minutes left to go.
The Lilywhites led Oisin McConville’s charges by doubles scores (0-10 to 0-5) at the halfway stage and the points of Jack Robinson and veteran Paul Cribbin got them motoring again in the second-half before Woodgate’s strike sealed the win.
In Navan, Mickey Harte’s Louth side pulled off a superb comeback to deny Westmeath as it finished 2-10 to 1-11.
Dessie Dolan’s men had been cruising in this one, running up a 0-9 to 0-4 lead before Ronan O’Toole hammered in their goal just before half-time.
Louth's Conor Early celebrates at the full-time whistle against Westmeath ©INPHO/Tommy Grealy
However, a 48th minute penalty from Sam Mulroy turned the tide for Louth and they’d have the ball in the Lake County’s net again seven minutes later through Liam Jackson to square the game.
Points from Conor Early and Mulroy (free) would see the Wee men ride their momentum to the finish, stunning their opponents in the process and booking a provincial semi-final date against Offaly at headquarters next Sunday afternoon (1.45pm).
The Faithful men were in ruthless form early on against Meath in Tullamore as Rory Egan’s 21st minute goal sent them on their way towards a commanding 1-8 to 0-2 half-time lead.
Out of sorts in the first-half, the Royals did fight back after the restart, with points from Cillian O’Sullivan, Jack O’Connor and Ronan Jones in the closing quarter keeping them in the hunt.
There’d be no denying the hosts on this occasion though as Ruairi McNamee’s point with seven minutes to go helped ensure the 1-11 to 0-10 win that sends Colm O'Rourke's side into the Tailteann Cup.
Sunday 30 April
Leinster SFC semi-finals
Kildare v Dublin, Croke Park, 4pm
Offaly v Louth, Croke Park, 1.45pm
