Dubs Down Laois At Croker

A Roundup Of The GAA Championship Action From Jackie Cahill

Leinster SFC
Dublin 1-16 Laois 0-11
Dublin survived the first test of their 2011 championship credentials at Croke Park last Sunday as Pat Gilroy's men defeated Laois by eight points in the Leinster senior football quarter-final.
The Sky Blues set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Kildare in routine fashion as their power play proved too much for the O'Moore County in a clash of low quality.
With both teams flooding men behind the ball and adopting defensive tactics, a goal was always going to be crucial and it was Dublin who got it in the first half.
Diarmuid Connolly slipped a 23rd minute effort between the legs of Laois goalkeeper Eoin Culliton, who denied the National League Division 1 runners-up more goals with some high-quality saves.
Culliton's display was one of the main talking points from GAA HQ on a day when his Dublin counterpart Stephen Cluxton finished with three points to his name, all from 45s.
The Brogan brothers combined for eight points as 2010 Footballer of the Year Bernard raised five white flags.
Dublin had six different players on the scoresheet as the impressive Connolly led the way with 1-3.
Ross Munnelly was the most impressive Laois player on show and he finished with a personal haul of 0-4 for Justin McNulty's side.

Leinster SFC
Kildare 0-16 Meath 0-10
Kildare announced themselves as serious contenders for silverware this summer with a stunning second half performance against Meath at Croke Park.
Kieran McGeeney's super fit Lilywhites simply steamrolled Meath into submission in the second half to pile the pressure on under-fire manager Seamus McEnaney.
The return of Graham Geraghty and resignations of McEnaney's selectors Liam Harnan and Barry Callaghan had dominated the pre-match build-up and Meath, Leinster champions last year, must now revitalise their 2011 championship challenge through the back door.
If ever McEnaney needed a victory, this was the day to achieve it but it now seems that an early exit in the qualifiers will seal the former Monaghan manager's fate.
The Royals have suffered from bad karma since last year's Leinster final, when Louth were denied a famous victory by Joe Sheridan's controversial late goal.
And this time, the big calls went against Meath as Geraghty had what appeared to be a perfectly good goal ruled out with his first touch before Brian Farrell was sent off.
Meath's woes, however, shouldn't overshadow what was a most impressive display from Kildare, who had scoring contributions from seven players.
But the victors will need to tighten up on their shooting considerably ahead of a Leinster semi-final meeting with Dublin.
If Kildare can up their conversion rate in front of goal, they will push hard for provincial and All-Ireland glory this year.

Munster SFC
Cork 5-17 Waterford 2-8
Cork showed Waterford no mercy at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as the All-Ireland champions dished out an 18-point hiding to Waterford in the Munster senior football championship.
The Rebels set up a glamour provincial final meeting with Kerry as twelve different scorers were on target against the outclassed Deise.
Daniel Goulding led the way with a personal tally of 2-2 as Fintan Goold, John Miskella and Paul Kerrigan hit the other goals for the home side.
The contest was over at half-time as Miskella, Goulding and Kerrigan netted in the first half to help establish a 3-8 to 0-6 interval lead.
Gary Hurney netted a penalty for the visitors but that was as good as it got for
Waterford as Cork cruised to victory in the second half without ever getting out of second gear.

Ulster SFC
Tyrone 1-13 Monaghan 1-11
Tyrone inflicted more Ulster senior football championship heartbreak on Monaghan at Healy Park, Omagh, last Sunday.
In a repeat of last year's provincial final, the hosts recorded a hard-fought two-point win against Monaghan, who finished the game with 13 men.
Captain Dick Clerkin was dismissed after 28 minutes before Dessie Mone was shown a red card in stoppage time at the end of the game.
Monaghan struggled for scores throughout and just three players - Conor McManus, Paul Finlay and Darren Hughes - raised flags for Eamonn McEneaney's team.
Ulster champions Tyrone led by 1-7 to 0-6 at half-time, with Brian McGuigan netting their crucial 16th minute goal.
The Red Hands could have had a second goal early in the second half but Martin Penrose missed a penalty.
Darren Hughes made no mistake for Monaghan with another penalty and the Farney County were just two points behind with twenty minutes remaining, trailing by 1-8 to 1-10.
But Tyrone kept their heads to close the game out and advanced to the last four of the Ulster SFC.

Munster SFC
Kerry 1-26 Limerick 3-9
Kerry turned on the style at Limerick's Gaelic Grounds last Saturday night to book their place in the Munster SFC final.
The Kingdom registered 27 scores and played some blistering football in what was a repeat of last year's provincial final.
Limerick struggled to cope without experienced midfielder John Galvin, who is out for the entire season with a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Late Limerick goals in each half added some gloss to the final scoreline from the home side's perspective on an evening when they were totally outclassed.
Kerry laid down a serious championship marker with a scintillating display as Colm 'Gooch' Cooper hit six of his seven points from play, with Darran O'Sullivan bagging 1-3.
Kerry had twelve players on the scoresheet while Tom O'Sullivan did a superb man-marking job on Limerick dangerman Ger Collins.

Leinster SHC
Galway 4-17 Westmeath 2-14
Galway were made to sweat by Westmeath before advancing to the semi-finals of the Leinster SHC.
The Tribesmen booked a last four showdown with National League champions Dublin but it took a late scoring blitz to see off the challenge of the plucky hosts at Cusack Park in Mullingar.
Galway's Cyril Donnellan grabbed the headlines with a hat-trick of goals but Westmeath were level in the second half before the visitors found an extra gear to eventually secure the win.
Meanwhile, Kerry secured the Christy Ring Cup at Croke Park last Saturday with a 2-21 to 2-8 victory against Wicklow at Croke Park.
Donegal beat Tyrone by 2-12 to 0-17 in an entertaining Lory Meagher decider while London claimed the Nicky Rackard Cup thanks to a 2-20 to 0-11 victory against Louth.