Dublin hurling manager Ger Cunningham declared himself “very happy” with how his charges disposed of Antrim’s challenge at Parnell Park to book a Walsh Cup semi-final spot against Laois.

Dublin ran out 0-28 to 2-12 winners as the Saffrons finished the game with 13 men following Eoghan Campbell’s straight red card in the 42nd minute and Neil McManus' dismissal in injury-time after picking up his second yellow.

David Treacy was the Dubs top-scorer with 0-11 (0-07 frees).

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Cunningham said: “To score 28 points in match we’d be very happy with that. It was another good game. Except for the concessions of two goals we were by far the better side."

“The two goals made it interesting for a while. But there were positives and some very good performances for this time of year.

“I thought Danny Sutcliffe showed great energy and great work rate.

"We’re giving players an opportunity and there were three or four fellas playing their first senior games for Dublin today.

“We’re looking at people and that was the purpose of today’s exercise.”

Cunningham, who was appointed Dublin manager last October as successor to Anthony Daly, gave a positive report card on his crop of senior debutants.

“They all did quite well. Conor Murphy, John Hetherton and Eoin O’Donnell – they all played their part and they were all playing senior inter county first time which sometimes takes a bit of getting used to, just to get the level of  the pace of the game but I thought they all did quite well.”

The Cork-native was less happy at the way his side shipped two goals, although he admitted Antrim proved to be testing opposition at times.

"They were sloppy goals – first one came from a mistake and the second one when the ball should have been cleared" - Ger Cunningham

“They were sloppy goals – first one came from a mistake and the second one when the ball should have been cleared.

“We knew Antrim would be tough, their style of play is a bit different. They worked well up the field quite a lot and it requires a lot of work-rate and your attitude has to be right.

“If you’re not focused then they can punish you but we were definitely the better side today.

“Twenty-eight points is good scoring and maybe a goal or two earlier could have wrapped it up a bit easier. But anyways we’re happy with the result.”

Cunningham’s men will face Laois, 4-18 to 1-19 victors over Wexford, in their semi-final away next weekend.

“Another very good game to get this time of year, Laois have made massive strides in the last few years.”

Cunningham is likely to shuffle his pack again for the semi-final clash as the former Cork selector looks examine all his options before deciding on his panel for the league campaign.

“We said we’d give to the end of the month to see where we’re at with the panel.

“We’ll look at it during the week and try to be fair to everybody and give the guys who didn’t get a game yet, try to give them a game as well.

“By the end of the month we’ll be able to pick the league panel and be in a position to go forward from there.”