Dublin senior hurling champions O'Toole's recovered from a very bad start to eventually overcome the challenge of St Mullin's of Carlow in this Leinster club championship SH tie at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday. The home support in the attendance of 2,000 must have felt a shock was on the cards when St Mullin's led 0-6 to no score after 12 minutes, with centre forward Pat Coady in outstanding form, scoring 0-4.

O'Toole's were settled by an outstanding individual goal from right corner forward Paul Donoghue on 14 minutes. St Mullin's went on to lead 0-10 to 0-5 at half-time.

O'Toole's went in front for the first time in the 38th minute through a soft goal from substitute Keith Horgan. After that, the Dublin champions showed greater fitness and understanding as they pulled away for victory.

The winners had a key figure in midfielder Jamsie `Shiner' Brennan. The former Kilkenny All-Ireland winner shot 1-9 from placed balls, while his former Kilkenny colleague, Eamonn Morrissey, chipped in with 1-4.

Peter Pringle, Aidan Mulligan, David McLoughlin, Damian Hernon, Joe Morris and Paul Donoghue were others to impress as O'Toole's advanced to a meeting with the winners of Castletown (Laois) and Oulart The Ballagh (Wexford) who drew on Saturday afternoon.

Besides Pat Coady, St Mullins were well served by Seamus O'Shea, Declan Kavanagh and David Doyle, who shot three fine long-range points from play.