The minor footballers of Dublin and Laois will have to do it all again after serving up a thrilling 1-11 to 1-11 draw in the All-Ireland final curtain raiser at Croke Park today. Both sides produced accomplished displays in an absorbing contest which bodes well for the future of both counties, with both sets of forwards particularly impressive.
Stradbally's Colm Kelly scored the game's opening goal on 16 minutes when he rounded the 'keeper and slotted home after a patient yet incisive build-up. Kelly was found by a fisted pass from his namesake from the St Joseph's club and calmly evaded the challenge of the Dublin 'keeper to put Sean Dempsey's men 1-03 to 0-03 ahead.
However, Dublin hit back with an opportunist goal from Mark Vaughan on 27 minutes. A free into the Laois full back line broke and Vaughan, showing the soccer instincts that saw him win a College's All-Ireland medal with Blackrock, reacted quickest to volley home from close range.
Laois led by 1-06 to 1-05 at the break but three quick-fire points from Kevin Leahy, Francis Fitzgerald and Aidan Relihan saw Ciaran O'Hare's side take a two point lead early in the second half. However, Peter McNulty, captain Craig Rogers and Michael Tierney hit back for a resilient Laois to give them the lead going into the final ten minutes, but Donal Brennan and Barry Kennedy, with his fourth of the afternoon, pulled Dublin level in the closing minutes.
With time running out Leahy pointed a crucial free for Dublin to put them in front but substitute David Murphy kept his composure to restore parity with a crucial kick in injury time to deservedly draw the sides level and force a replay.
The replay will take place on October 12 at a venue to be confirmed.
Filed by Shane Murray
