The only regret for Dublin on Saturday night was that there were not more people in Nowlan Park to witness this Championship bow.
The reigning Leinster and All-Ireland champions looked ominously good as they opened their defence with an 11-point victory over a Laois side, who will be cursing a slow start and poor first half, as they left themselves with a mountain to climb in a more spirited second half display.
Cracking atmosphere around Kilkenny ahead of a football match. Don't often say that! #GAA #DUBvLAO pic.twitter.com/nIhXBVmUeg
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Kilkenny City was a sea of blue before this 7pm throw-in but Laois anger at the fixture not being set for Portlaoise, coupled with a dearth of accommodation, meant less than 17,000 witnessed this Leinster SFC quarter-final.
The GAA had predicted 20,000 on Friday, but the Dublin fans who made the journey were singing to their hearts content by the end.
Dublin suffered one of those blows before throw-in that only serves to highlight their strength in depth.
Paul Flynn injured in warm-up and replaced by Paul Mannion. Nice subs if you can get them #DUBvLAO #GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
It didn’t take long to realise that pre-match sense of foreboding was well placed. Dean Rock capitalising on an opening moments slip in the Laois defence.
Ready for the throw in here. The flares are lit.
Dean Rock nets after 21 seconds#DUBvLAO#GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Laois were beginning to get a foothold in the game after the worst possible start when they made the mistake of pushing up on a Stephen Cluxton kick-out. The Dublin keeper went long.
Gary Walsh point at one end. From resulting kick-out Connolly collects unopposed, runs 40 yards and goals
Dub 2-1 to 0-1#DUBvLAO #GAA— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Nice of the Dubs to score at a hurling rate in this Kilkenny Colosseum.
1-3 in first 10 minutes for Dean Rock.#DUBvLAO #GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
If the game was already over as a contest, Laois centre-forward John O’Loughlin put the tin hat on things near the half-hour mark.
John O'Loughlin of Laois sent off for striking Macauley off the ball. 28 minutes gone… you would think game over
2-7 to 0-4#DUBvLAO #GAA— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
was game over after 15 seconds when Rock scored the goal
— Dylan Bates (@dbates13) June 4, 2016
O'Laughlin certainly pulled the plug on the machine in that case!!
— Dylan Bates (@dbates13) June 4, 2016
Time for the Dubs to enjoy themselves, with Ciaran Kilkenny and Diarmuid Connolly in particular putting on a show.
Left foot, right foot. It's all the same to Ciaran Kilkenny. A beaut off either foot now as Dublin lead 2-9 to 0-6#DUBvLAO #GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Half-time and Dublin lead 14-man Laois 2-12 to 0-7#DUBvLAO #GAA pic.twitter.com/W6qvSI8A2Z
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
There are 16,764 people in 25,000 capacity Nowlan Park. Some are from Laois but the loud majority are supporting Dublin.#DUBvLAO #GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Dublin opened the second half with points from Kevin McManamon and Kilkenny but Laois were soon handed a lifeline.
Paul Cahillane drills penalty into top corner for Laois.
Jonny Cooper lucky not to be black carded for tackle on O'Connor#DUBvLAO #GAA— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Cian O’Sullivan was enjoying another stellar game sweeping in Dublin defence but when Jonny Cooper was caught forward Laois pounced again.
Cian O'Sullivan wins dirty ball, wins aerial possession, reads the play and irons your shirts without sweating#DUBvLAO #GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Superb goal for Laois. Stephen Attride rips into top corner after long ball into Donie Kingston. Fitzimons beaten with Cooper at other end
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Laois now have a tactic. Go long to Kingston and hope for chaos. It works.
Dublin just find a forward.
Dublin 2-16
Laois 2-8#DUBvLAO #GAA— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Dean Rock has scored four points in a row and now has 1-10 of Dublin's 2-20 total#ballers
Replaced by Eoghan O'Gara to cheers #DUBvLAO #GAA— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Laois were finally applying themselves but Dublin just had too much quality, on the pitch and from the bench. Paul Mannion and Bernard Brogan, both scoreless, made way at the midway point of half.
Paul Mannion and Bernard Brogan both replaced without scoring. Jim Gavin is running a meritocracy. All other forwards scored#DUBvLAO #GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
The replacements made a difference.
Penalty Dublin, missed Connolly. Super save by Graham Brody.
Eoghan O'Gara had passed to Con O'Callaghan, who was taken down#DUBvLAO #GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
Game over. Dublin win 2-21 to 2-10. The championship gets another hanmering but these Dubs are v good #DUBvLAO #GAA pic.twitter.com/YOSPpMNT8u
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 4, 2016
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