Quinn unleashes knockout blow

Laois 0-13 Dublin 0-14

He had the misfortune to kick a free out of his hands narrowly wide from a similar distance a minute later, before centre-back Tom Kelly was similarly out of luck from play on the other side. It seemed that Paul Caffrey's confident side were destined to win in Croke Park yesterday and herald celebrations which belied the fact that they were champions only three years ago.

That mini-drama, played out in an injury-time period which extended to five minutes, encapsulated the essence of the game.

Dublin almost totally dominated the first half but were unable to drive home their advantage and a re-energised Laois bravely fought back and almost saved the day. Disappointingly, the contest didn't do justice to the occasion of a record attendance for the Bank of Ireland Leinster football championship final, except that the manner in which Laois and Mick O'Dwyer conspired to push Dublin all the way from the start of the second half to the frenetic closing minutes provided terrific entertainment.

Everything about Dublin over the opening 20 minutes was as near to perfect as could be expected, or hoped for.

They gained early control, with an ease that was surprising, and went 0-6 to 0-1 clear in the 19th minute. It stemmed initially from their strong play in defence and featured a leading role for midfielder Shane Ryan, some inspired play from Jason Sherlock in the right corner and the strong influence of converted defender Bryan Cullen at centre-forward. The net effect was high-quality ball was channeled into the forwards and they responded with some very good scores.

Laois, in contrast, were struggling in key positions. With the notable exception of Ross Munnelly, who had a marvellous game, they struggled in attack. Beano McDonald wasn't making any impression (entirely predictable because of his long lay-off), Barry Brennan could make no headway at centre-forward against Barry Cahill, another of Dublin's key players, and captain Kevin Fitzpatrick wasn't seeing much action on the edge of the square and the same applied to the rest of the forwards.

However, the pattern of the game was to change after Dublin lost their captain, Paddy Christie, through injury (even though Cahill continued to excel when he dropped back, while substitute Peadar Andrews quickly settled in the centre). The improvement came about as a result of Padraig Clancy starting to win ball around the middle of the field and Fitzpatrick getting more involved after a switch to centre-forward. In the meantime, Munnelly continued to beaver away, and he continually pressurised the Dublin backs.

After 24 minutes play it was 0-7 to 0-2 and neither side was to score again before the break.

Dublin were relieved to see goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton bring off a fine save from Chris Conway in the 29th minute. And, they were also lucky immediately afterwards, when a flick from Munnelly just went outside the post.

The game had reached its most competitive phase (the half ending with Quinn kicking consecutive wides from a free and a '45). Questions that would have been asked about the real merit of Laois' semi-final win over Kildare were to be quickly answered.

There were improvements all over the field, with Aidan Fennelly to the forefront at right corner-back, Clancy reaching his best form, Noel Garvan storming into the game and Sheehan making a major contribution.

Combined with Munnelly's class and Donie Brennan's probing play in the right corner, it helped Laois to claw their back to parity after only eleven minutes' play. Over the next 15 minutes in particular their character was to be tested several times, when they came back (the second time from being three points in arrears) to level on two further occasions. And then Munnelly fittingly put them in front for the first time with nine minutes of ordinary play remaining. In another minute, the gap was stretched to two points and Dublin looked in trouble.

However, by then, a recovery was under way aided considerably by the improvement from Ciaran Whelan at midfield, the industry of Colin Moran after his switch to wing-back, invaluable play from Alan Brogan when it was needed most and the continuing influence of Cullen and Sherlock.

Moran went through for a vital score in the 64th minute before Quinn levelled scores for the last time five minutes later.

The 45 from which Quinn kicked the winner two minutes into extra time came after Munnelly had 'robbed' Sherlock near the end line and defender Joe Higgins was shouldered over the line in possession. It was not merely cruel luck on Laois that they missed two late chances of a replay, but especially unfair on Munnelly for missing the first of them after he had played such a masterly role in bringing them so close to a first-ever win over the Dubs in a decider.

*Joe McQuillan's refereeing was well up to standard. He kept good control and sensibly applied the rules, but it was still a surprise that he came up with so much injury-time at the finish.

Scorers for Dublin: T. Quinn 0-4 (0-3 frees, 0-1 '45); B. Cullen 0-3; J. Sherlock 0-2; C. Keaney, S. O'Shaughnessy, C. Whelan, A. Brogan and C. Moran 0-1 each.

Laois: R. Munnelly 0-5 (0-2 frees); C. Conway 0-4 (0-3 frees); D. Brennan and N. Garvan 0-2 each.

DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; P. Griffin, P. Christie (capt.), S. O'Shaughnessy; C. Goggins, B. Cahill, P. Casey; C. Whelan, S. Ryan; C. Moran, B. Cullen, C. Keaney; J. Sherlock, A. Brogan, T. Quinn.

Subs: P. Andrews for Christie (18th minute); S. Connell for Goggins (second half); D. Homan for Ryan (60th).

LAOIS: F. Byron; A. Fennelly, D. Rooney, J. Higgins; C. Begley, T. Kelly, P. McMahon; P. Clancy, N. Garvan; R. Munnelly, B. Brennan, B. Sheehan; C. Conroy, K. Fitzpatrick (capt.), B. McDonald.

Subs: D. Brennan for B. Brennan (injured, 27th minute); M. Dunne for McDonald (51st); D. Conroy for Rooney (57th).

Referee: J. McQuillan (Cavan).

*Attendance: 81,025 (new record, previous, 78,003, Dublin v Kildare 2002).