Hyland powers Laois

Teddy McCarthy’s Laois hurling fortunes received another boost yesterday as his new charges battled to a three point Walsh Cup quarter-final victory over injury-ravaged Dublin in O’Moore Park.

Both teams took a while to settle as incessant rain over the previous 12 hours made underfoot conditions treacherous. Laois, led by captain Willie Hyland, eventually took control of proceedings and he hit six points in the first-half before setting up Tommy Fitzgerald for the opening goal as the hosts led 1-8 to 0-6 at the break.

Fitzgerald struck again just after the restart to help Laois open up a nine point advantage, but six unanswered points from Anthony Daly’s men soon had them back in contention.

Laois eventually broke that run thanks to Hyland and Chris Murray, and even a late goal from Alan McCrabbe could not deny them an unlikely win.

Laois now meet Galway in the semi-final next weekend.

Scorers for Laois: W Hyland 0-8 (6f), T Fitzgerald 2-1, J Brophy 0-2, M McEvoy, W Dunphy, C Murray 0-1 each;

Scorers for Dublin: S Stapleton 0-8 (7f), A McCrabbe 1-0, C McBride, R O’Dwyer 0-2 each, D O’Dwyer, J McCaffrey 0-1 each

LAOIS: D Hanlon; P Mullaney, D Maher, B Smith; J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan, C Dunne; J Walsh, B Dunne; J Brophy, M McEvoy, W Hyland; D O’Mahony, T Fitzgerald, W Dunphy.

Subs: C Murray for O’Mahony (51), O Houlihan for McEvoy (69)

DUBLIN: A Nolan; R Trainor, C O’Brien, J McCaffrey; R Walsh, J Boland, C Clinton; D Sutcliffe, S Stapleton; D O’Dwyer, C McCormack, S Ryan; C McBride, R O’Dwyer, E Dillon.

Subs: McCrabbe for Ryan (ht), P Carton for Dillon (51), P Ryan for McCormack (58).

Referee: P O’Dwyer (Carlow).