Joe McDonagh Cup: Laois register vital victory

Joe McDonagh Cup

Laois 2-23 Antrim 0-22

By Alan Hartnett at Laois Hire O'Moore Park

Laois are back in the race for the Joe McDonagh Cup after they defeated Antrim.

Inspired by Stephen 'Picky' Maher, who finished with 0-13, Tommy Fitzgerald’s side inflicted a seven point defeat upon Davy Fitzgerald’s men.

After a Round One loss to Down, this defeat leaves Antrim in a perilous position while Laois, following their opening defeat to Carlow, are back on track.

Antrim played with the breeze in the first half and began well as Conal Cunning and Ryan McCambridge pointed.

But the home side rocked them in the second minute when a fine solo run from Tomas Keyes ended with Cillian Dunne firing to the net.

Stephen Maher and Martin Phelan pointed after that, but Antrim recovered well from that set back and would lead by half-time.

Two from James McNaughton as well as scores from McCambridge, Sean Elliott and Paul Boyle moved them 0-8 to 1-3 ahead after 14 minutes.

Laois drew level by the midpoint of the half via Phelan and Maher before a free from Maher gave them the advantage once more.

James McNaughton levelled the game, but Laois then had a great goal chance when Tomas Keyes got through only for Cormac McFadden to pull off a fine save. That was in the 20th minute and Antrim just edged the remaining 15 minutes.

Elliott was steady on frees, while McCambridge and McNaughton also split the posts.

Laois finished the half very well though with scores from Ian Shanahan and Fiachra C-Fennell cutting the gap to the minimum at the break - 0-15 to 1-11.

Eoin O’Neill extended Antrim’s lead when play resumed, but Laois drew level by the 40th minute thanks to free from Maher and a great score from Cillian Dunne.

Both sides missed chances after that before Maher put Laois ahead after 46 minutes when half time sub Gearoid Lynch was fouled. He extended that further after a high tackle on Cillian Dunne two minutes later.

But an Antrim score from Keelan Molloy left it 1-15 to 0-17 as we entered the final 20 minutes.

Laois almost had another goal then but both Ben Conroy and David Dooley saw efforts blocked. Tomas Keyes then had one saved with Maher pointing the resulting 65.

But three Sean Elliott scores in a row, two of them frees, gave Antrim a 0-20 to 1-16 lead after 54 minutes.

Incredibly, though, Laois added 1-6 without reply. Tomas Keyes tied the game again soon after and then Maher’s 12th point, his third 65, gave Laois the advantage once more with captain David Dooley and Cillian Dunne extending it to three as we entered the final 10 minutes.

Maher made in five points in a row before Laois claimed their second goal which was made by the former and finished by his clubmate Cillian Dunne.

Sub James Keyes added another point and all of a sudden, Laois led by eight points.

James McNaughton ended Antrim’s 13 minute scoreless spell with a free, but subs Mark Dowling replied replied instantly with one of his own. Antrim finished with a score from Jack McCloskey, but Laois were worthy winners.

Scorers for Laois: Stephen Maher 0-13 (8fs, 3 ’65s), Cillian Dunne 2-2, Martin Phelan 0-2, Mark Dowling, Tomas Keyes, Ian Shanahan, Fiachra C-Fennell, David Dooley and James Keyes 0-1 each.

Scorers for Antrim: Sean Elliott 0-8 (7fs), James McNaughton 0-6 (3fs), Ryan McCambridge 0-3, Conal Cunning, Paul Boyle, Jack McCloskey, Keelan Molloy and Eoin O’Neill 0-1 each

Laois: Eoin Reilly; Ian Shanahan, Podge Delaney, Lee Cleere; Ciaran McEvoy, Fiachra C Fennell, Ryan Mullaney; David Dooley, Aidan Corby; Stephen Maher, Tomas Keyes, Aaron Dunphy; Martin Phelan, Ben Conroy, Cillian Dunne.

Subs: Gearoid Lynch for Corby (HT), James Keyes for Dunphy (50), Mark Dowling for Conroy (58), Jack Kelly for Dunne (66), Cormac Byrne for Maher (69).

Antrim: Cormac McFadden; Ryan McNulty, Paddy Burke, Stephen Rooney; Oisin Donnelly, Niall O’Connor, Joe Maskey; Eoin O’Neill, Paul Boyle; Keelan Molloy, Ryan McCambridge, Conal Cunning; James McNaughton, Ruairi Donaghy, Sean Elliott.

Subs: Conal Bohill for Donaghy (42), Conor Johnston for O’Neill (46), Jack McCloskey for Boyle (62), Ruairi McCormack for McNulty (65), Joseph McLoughlin for Elliott (66).

Referee: Caymon Flynn (Westmeath).