Tailteann Cup: Down too strong for Laois

Tailteann Cup Quarter Final

Laois 0-15 Down 2-23

By Alan Hartnett at Laois Hire O'Moore Park

Down are through to the semi finals of the Tailteann Cup following a comfortable 14 point victory over Laois at Laois Hire O'Moore Park this afternoon.

For the third time in the last four seasons, the O'Moore county's championship campaign has been ended by Down.

Down beat them in the semi final of this competition in 2023, the final in 2024 and now once again in the quarter final.

A strong opening 15 minutes laid the foundation for Down and while Laois just about broke even after that, the damage was done.

The game began with Odhran Murdock and Evan O'Carroll trading points but after that, Down took control.

They scored 1-5 without reply and built up a lead that they could take into half time.

Miceal Rooney kicked two of those, Murdock landed a two pointer and Eamon Brown kicked a free - while there was a fair degree of fortune about their goal.

Ryan Magill's shot was saved by Matthew Byron and was heading out for a 45 but was diverted into his own net by Jack Lacey.

Pa Kirwan replied for Laois but it was a ten point game by the 15th minute as keeper Ronan Burns slotted a two point free after Brown scored again.

After that, Laois settled somewhat and there was little between the teams for the remaining 20 minutes.

Pa Kirwan was excellent and slotted a two pointer plus a single while Kevin Swayne ended the half with two points.

Evan O'Carroll led the line for Laois all game and kicked three more points before the short whistle.

But the problem for Laois was that Down continued to score at the other end as Burns came up from goal to kick a second two point free.

Caolan Mooney, Ruairi McCormack and Callum Rogers all got in on the act too as Down led 1-16 to 0-10.

Laois needed a good start to the second half to have any chance but the tone was set early on by Down as Eamon Brown kicked a two pointer.

Laois had a great goal chance after that but Ciaran Burke shot wide from a tight angle.

When that didn't go in, the life went out of Laois and Down continued to punish them as they amassed 1-19 by the 45th minute with just one wide kicked at that stage.

The game petered out from that point on with a late Daniel Guinness goal sending the Down crowd home happy following a 14 point win.

Scorers for Down: Eamon Brown 0-9 (one two pointer, two frees), Ronan Burns (two two point frees) and Odhran Murdorck (one two pointer) 0-4 each, Daniel Guinness and Jack Lacey (own goal) 1-0 each, Miceal Rooney 0-2, Caolan Mooney, Ruairi McCormack, Callum Rogers and Pat Havern 0-1 each

Scorers for Laois: Evan O'Carroll 0-6 (four frees), Pa Kirwan 0-4 (one two pointer), Matthew Byron (two point free) and Kevin Swayne 0-2 each, Conor Heffernan 0-1

DOWN: Ronan Burns; Peter Fagan, Pierce Laverty, Patrick Brooks; Callum Rogers, Shane Annett, Ryan Magill; Ryan McEvoy, Odhran Murdock; Daniel Guinness, Ceilum Doherty, Miceal Rooney; Caolan Mooney, Ruairi O'Hare, Eamon Brown Subs: Ruairi McCormack for Mooney (31), Pat Havern for O'Hare (53), Patrick McCarthy for Brooks (57), Ross Carr for Rogers (58), Fionn McElroy for Murdock (62), Tom Close for Magill (63, inj)

LAOIS: Matthew Byron; Alex Mohan, Trevor Collins, Jack Lacey; Paddy O'Sullivan, Simon Fingleton, Aaron McEvoy; Conor Heffernan, Rob Tyrrell; Pa Kirwan, Ronan Coffey, Kevin Swayne; Ciaran Burke, Daragh Galvin, Evan O'Carroll. Subs: Paul Kingston for Galvin (ht), Niall Corbet for Coffey (49), Cian Nolan for Burke and Brian Byrne for McEvoy (both 53), Killian Byrne for Tyrrell (59).

Ref: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone)