Aaron Amond scored two goals for Carlow against Laois. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Tailteann Cup Group Three
Laois 2-17 Carlow 2-17
By Alan Hartnett at Laois Hire O'Moore Park
Carlow scored two late goals to snatch a draw with Laois and take a point from their opening Tailteann Cup encounter.
Laois were six points clear as the game entered injury time, but managed to concede two goals to allow the visitors leave with a point.
Aaron Amond scored both goals with the equaliser coming from a penalty in the 74th minute after sub Ross Dunphy had been fouled by Laois sub Cormac Murphy.
It was no less than Carlow deserved as they created a mountain of goal chances, but a combination of poor execution, great blocks and saves from Killian Roche meant they didn't take any until the game entered injury time.
Down the other end, Mark Barry and Rioghan Murphy, on the right hand side of the Laois attack, sparkled.
They kicked 2-8 between them and terrorised their opponents at every opportunity.
But this will certainly feel like a defeat for Laois and seriously dents their prospects of progression in the competition.
The game began with even enough with the sides swapping points in the first seven minutes.
The game changed though a minute later when Carlow keeper Johnny Furey lost possession in midfield and Colin Byrne was black carded after pulling down Simon Fingleton with a goal chance on.
Laois used the next 10 minutes with the extra man well and built up a lead.
Rioghan Murphy pointed and then scored a goal when he palmed in after great work by Niall Dunne and Evan O’Carroll.
Mark Barry and O’Carroll then pointed to move Laois six clear.
Carlow returned to 15 and rallied somewhat with points from Aaron Amond and Conor Lomax before Laois scored a second goal.
Niall Dunne burst forward and was upended with Mark Barry slotting home from the resultant penalty.
Conor Crowley, Paddy McDonnell and Aaron Amond responded for Carlow but Laois finished the half with scores from O’Carroll and Brian Byrne to lead 2-9 to 0-8 at half time.
Mark Barry scored a first half goal for Laois against Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The sides swapped points when play resumed, but Carlow could have had two goals only for a save from Killian Roche and a block from Brian Byrne - with Conor Doyle pointing 45s each time.
That left the gap at six and it briefly came back to five when Darragh Foley pointed a free but Rioghan Murphy responded in the 46th minute.
Murphy then won a free which Mark Barry pointed and Laois led 2-12 to 0-11 with 20 minutes to play.
Simon Fingleton briefly made it a seven point game before Carlow came back again with a brace of Darragh Foley frees.
Mark Barry took his tally to 1-5 soon after as Laois led 2-14 to 0-13 with 55 minutes on the clock.
Eoin Buggie and Kevin Swayne joined the scoring after that with only a brilliant block from sub Kieran Lillis denying Conor Crowley what looked like a certain goal.
Carlow did get that goal though right as we entered injury time as Aaron Amond blasted home from close range after a long passing move.
Then the same player claimed a draw with the final kick of the game. Laois are away to Wicklow next, while Carlow will host Fermanagh.
Scorers for Laois: Mark Barry 1-6 (1-0 pen, 1f), Rioghan Murphy 1-2, Evan O'Carroll 0-4 (two frees), Kevin Swayne, Conor Heffernan, Brian Byrne, Simon Fingleton and Eoin Buggie 0-1 each
Scorers for Carlow: Aaron Amond 2-2 (1-0 pen), Conor Doyle 0-5 (3 45s, 1f), Darragh Foley 0-4 (4fs), Conor Crowley and Cormac Lomax 0-2 each, Paddy McDonnell and Eric Molloy 0-1 each
Laois: Killian Roche; Brian Byrne, Mark Timmons, Dylan Kavanagh; Simon Fingleton, Seamus Lacey, Eoin Buggie; Conor Heffernan, Mikie Dempsey; Mark Barry, Eoin Lowry, Kevin Swayne; Rioghan Murphy, Evan O’Carroll, Niall Dunne.
Subs: Paul Kingston for Dunne (50), Kieran Lillis for Dempsey (53), Cormac Murphy for Barry and Brian Daly for O'Carroll (both 61), Ciaran Burke for Heffernan (65)
Carlow: Johnny Furey; Paddy McDonnell, Mark Furey, Eric Molly; Mikey Bambrick, Jamie Clarke, Colm Hulton; Conor Doyle, Niall Hickey; Colin Byrne, Cormac Lomax, Aaron Amond; Liam Gavin, Darragh Foley, Conor Crowley.
Subs: Ross Dunphy for Lomax (41), Kevin Murphy for Gavin (44), Shane Buggy for Hulton (50), Ciaran Moran for Hickey (53), John Phiri for Clarke (59).
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).
