Goalkeeper Enda Rowland remains an influential figure for Laois. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Saturday May 4
Joe McDonagh Cup
Down v Westmeath, Ballycran, 3pm
A vital encounter in Ballycran beckons.
Down have delivered two impressive displays, defeating Meath before losing to Kerry.
Westmeath have suffered losses to Kerry and Offaly so the midlanders' know that a victory must be gleaned.
Killian Doyle struck a remarkable 0-15 haul in Tullamore, but it wasn't enough to deny Offaly.
Paul Sheehan and Chris Egan impressed for Down, who were eventually fended off by Kerry in Tralee.
Down: Stephen Keith; Matt Conlan, Conor Cassidy, Dara Mallon; Caolan Taggart, Ruairí McCrickard, Tom Murray; Donal Hughes, Liam Savage; Pearse Óg McCrickard, Eoghan Sands, Paul Sheehan; Daithí Sands, Chris Egan, Tim Prenter.
Subs: Pearce Smyth, Finn Turpin, Tom McGrattan, Daniel Toner, Barry Trainor, John McManus, Marc Fisher, Cormac McAllister, Phelim Savage, Aodhan Furlong, Oisín MacManus.
Westmeath: Noel Conaty; Johnny Bermingham, Tommy Doyle, Conor Gaffney; Aonghus Clarke, Darragh Egerton, Aaron Craig; Peter Clarke, Kevin Regan; Niall Mitchell, David Williams, Owen McCabe; David O'Reilly, Killian Doyle, Eoin Keyes.
Subs: Jamie Mulkearns, Charlie McCormack, Davy Glennon, Jordy Smyth, Darragh Clinton, Jack Gillen, Ciarán Doyle, Conor Shaw, Shane Clavin, Michael Daly, Shane McGovern.
Kerry v Laois, Austin Stack Park, 3pm
Following satisfying starts to the competition, the top two meet in Tralee on Saturday afternoon.
Stephen Molumphy's clever work with Kerry is perfectly illustrated by victories over Westmeath and Down.
Even without key players, Kerry plough on defiantly. Maurice O'Connor flourished in the Down triumph with Dan Goggin drilling four points from play following his introduction.
Willie Maher's Laois outfit are enjoying a productive stint too with momentum generated.
Seven goals were netted by Laois when overcoming Meath. Willie Dunphy, Mark Dowling (2), Martin Phelan, Tomas Keyes, James Duggan, and excellent goalkeeper Enda Rowland all struck majors for Laois.
The in form Aaron Dunphy clipped five points too for a promising Laois team.
Kerry: Louis Dee; Evan Murphy, Flor McCarthy, Eric Leen; Daithí Griffin, Fionán Mackessy, Kyle O'Connor; Darragh Shanahan, Ronan Walsh; Colin Walsh, Niall Mulcahy, Killian Hayes; Luke Crowley, Maurice O'Connor, Michael Leane.
Subs: Diarmuid Quirke, Bill Keane, Brandon Barrett, Dan Goggin, Dara Kearney, Darragh Reen, David Woulfe, Gavin Dooley, Morgan Madden, Tom Doyle, Tomás O'Connor.
Laois: Enda Rowland; Ian Shanahan, Ryan Mullaney, Diarmuid Conway; Liam O'Connell, Padraig Delaney, Tom Cuddy; Aidan Corby, Paddy Purcell; Aaron Dunphy, Stephen Maher, David Dooley; Tomás Keyes, Mark Dowling, Jer Quinlan.
Subs: Cathal Dunne, Donnchadh Hartnett, Pádraic Dunne, Fiachra C Fennell, Lee Cleere, John Lennon, Ross King, Willie Dunphy, Martin Phelan, James Duggan, Gearóid Lynch.
Meath v Offaly, Trim, 3pm
Under duress following an opening round loss, Offaly responded in style when beating Westmeath.
That Brian Duignan inspired triumph ensures Offaly head for Navan heartened.
Duignan registered 1-11, while Cillian Kiely also contributed three points for the Faithful, who will afforded Meath the utmost respect.
It has been a disappointing few weeks for Meath, who suffered a heavy defeat to Laois.
Meath will be looking to the experienced James Toher, Eamon Óg Ó Donnchadha, and Nicky Potterton for inspiration.
Meath: Charlie Ennis; Jarlath Ennis, Shane Whitty, Daire Shine; Seán Geraghty, Simon Ennis, Kris Gorman; David Murtagh, Niall McLarnon; James Kelly, Tom Shine, Seán Quigley; Mark Horan, Eamon Óg Ó Donnchadha, Nicky Potterton.
Subs: Philip O'Brien, Seán Martin, Michael Burke, William Gleeson, Jack Walsh, Jamie Leavy, Domhnall Rogers, Josh Wall, Ciarán Lonergan, Adam Kelly, Damien Healy.
Offaly: Mark Troy; Cathal King, Ciarán Burke, Ben Conneely; Donal Shirley, Cillian Kiely, Sam Bourke; David King, Luke Watkins; Killian Sampson, Brian Duignan, Oisín Kelly; Eimhin Kelly, Charlie Mitchell, Dan Bourke.
Subs: Stephen Corcoran, Leon Fox, Eoghan Cahill, Adam Screeney, Dara Maher, Ross Ravenhill, Pádraig Cantwell, Jack Clancy, Paul Cleary, Jack Screeney, Colin Spain.
