Laois/Dublin to do it over after draw

Dublin 1-18, Laois 2-15 (full-time)

Laois and Dublin hurlers will have to do it all again next Saturday to decide Kilkenny’s opponents in the Leinster hurling semi-final.

At Nolan Park tonight, in a high-scoring contest that produced some patches of fine hurling, Laois came from behind to smash the equaliser with a James Young free – his 11th in all – to ensure another day out.

Two minutes earlier it looked as if Dublin star Tomas McGrane had given his side an unexpected victory when he scored his sides’ 13th point from a 65 with his side playing into a strong breeze.

Dublin were reduced to 13 men five minutes from the end of normal time having previously lost midfielder Keith Wilson after 21 minutes.

At half-time the sides were level – 10 points to 1-07. Early in the second-half Laois took the lead with a well-taken goal from Tommy Fitzgerald but Dublin had been the dominant force in the early stages of the second-half.

A defensive error allowed Kevin Flynn to score a vital goal in the 37th minute.

Laois went three points up after 59 minutes with a point from substitute Dermot Cuddy. But Dublin sub Michael Carton and Tomas Moore narrowed the gap to a single point and when McGrane pointed a free after 68 minutes the sides were level again.

McGrane, who missed Dublin’s opening game because of a serious illness to his baby son, looked as if he was to become the Dublin hero, scoring his 13th point two and a half minutes into injury time.

However, on an evening for sharp shooters, James Young restored parity when he pointed from 20 metres.

The replay has been fixed for next Saturday, at O’Moore Park.