Gaelic Games

Laois finish well to edge out Offaly

Six unanswered points swings game for Tomás Ó Flatharta’s men

Offaly’s Daithi Brady battles with Laois’ Donal Kingston at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, last night. Photograph: Inpho
Offaly’s Daithi Brady battles with Laois’ Donal Kingston at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, last night. Photograph: Inpho
Thu Jan 09 2014 - 01:00

Laois 2-18 Offaly 2-15

These two teams came into last night's game with contrasting fortunes, last year's beaten semi-finalists Offaly finished well to defeat the students of UCD but under new manager Tomas O'Flatharta hosts Laois had journeyed to Wexford and shipped a heavy defeat. But the meeting of the Barrowside neighbours always brings out the best in both sides and this was to be no different.

After the visitors posted two early points Laois went in front with a goal by Conor Meredith and he added a point immediately. Offaly hit back with a goal from Ciaran Hurley after twenty minutes but Conor Meredith set up Martin Scully for a brilliant Laois goal but points by Peter Cunningham and Ken Casey put the visitors back in front but Laois replied with three great points to lead with three minutes to go to the break. Eoin Lowry closed the first half scoring leaving Laois in front 2-6 to 1-7.

Offaly were denied an early goal after the Laois goalkeeper brought off a point blank save but Peter Cunningham did open the second half scoring with a great point after 38 minutes.He added another two minutes later to level the game for the fourth time.

Offaly went in front with points by Niall Darby and Peter Cunningham but Laois then hit five scores in a row before Offaly staged a recovery and drew level with point by sub Niall Geraghty with ten minutes remaining.

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Laois then shot six without reply to run out comfortable winners and now face UCD on Sunday in their final group game.

LAOIS: G Brody; R Kehoe, M Timmons, P O'Leary; S Attride, P Begley, A Ryan; J Finn, J O'Loughlin (0-1); E Lowry (0-1), D Kingston (0-4), B Sheehan (0-4); M Scully (1-0), C Meredith (1-4), D Conway (0-2). Subs: E O'Carroll (0-2) for M Scully (43 mins), K Lillis for E Lowry (48 mins), D Booth for P Begley (49 mins), D O'Connor for K Lillis (64 mins) .
OFFALY: A Mulhall; D Brady, C McNamee (0-2), J O'Connor; E O'Carroll, S Delaney, N Darby (0-1); J Brickland, R Allen (0-1); G Guilfoyle (0-1), P Cunningham (0-3), C Hurley (1-0); K Casey (0-3), J Maloney (0-1), N McNamee. Subs: P McConway for J Brickland (25 mins), N Dunne (0-2) for J Maloney (42 mins) , C Kiely for K Casey (46 mins) , N Geraghty (0-1) for N McNamee (Yellow card, 56 mins).
Referee: David Gough (Meath).