Tailteann Cup R2A: Laois finish strongly

Tailteann Cup Round 2A

Laois 1-29 London 1-14

By Alan Hartnett at McGovern Park, Ruislip

The Laois senior footballers are through to the next stage of the Tailteann Cup following a 15 point win over London this afternoon.

Justin McNulty’s men produced an excellent final 20 minutes and will either have a home quarter final or face New York in a preliminary quarter final – with the draw on Monday.

While London are still in the competition and will be in Round Three against one of the Round 2B winners.

The game swung one way and then the other in the opening 10 minutes with Laois leading by one at the end of it.

Ronan Coffey, Paddy O’Sullivan, Evan O’Carroll and Conor Heffernan scored for Laois while Shay Rafter (2) and Kristian Healy replied for London.

The only goal of the half arrived then and it was all created by Paddy O’Sullivan who executed a brilliant turnover on his own 45.

He found Ronan Coffey who picked out Evan O’Carroll with an excellent kick pass and the Crettyard man beat Conor O’Donohue before shooting to the net.

London almost replied instantly as Liam Murphy got in one on one, but the recalled Killian Roche made an incredible save to deny him.

Ronan Coffey and Joe McGill then traded two pointers to leave it 1-7 to 0-5 after 20 minutes.

And the sides largely went score for score for the final 15 minutes with Laois getting the last two thanks to Roche and Mikie Dempsey to lead 1-11 to 1-7 at half time.

Laois eased further ahead when play resumed but then London came with a surge.

Sub Tighe Barry started a move that was finished to the net by Michael O’Reilly and then the former kicked a point.

That left it 1-14 to 1-11 with 47 minutes played and the London crowd were beginning to believe that a comeback was on.

Laois responded impressively. They scored nine points in a row to take the game away.

Subs Paul Kingston and Cian Nolan set the tone with two pointers and an array of players got in on the act after that.

By the time London scored again, Laois were 13 points clear and the game was over.

Scorers for Laois: Evan O’Carroll 1-5 (1f), Paul Kingston 0-4 (1 2pt), Pa Kirwan (1 2pt), Paddy O’Sullivan and Ronan Coffey (1 2pt) 0-3 each, Cian Nolan (2pt), Killian Roche (2fs) and Simon Fingleton 0-2 each, Daragh Galvin, Brian Byrne, Conor Heffernan, Kevin Swayne and Mikie Dempsey 0-1 each.

Scorers for London: Joe McGill 0-5 (1 2pt, 1f), Shay Rafter and Ciaran Diver (1 2pt, 1f ) 0-3 each, Michael O’Reilly 1-0, Henry Freeman, David Gouldson and Tighe Barry 0-1 each

Laois: Killian Roche; Jack Lacey, Trevor Collins, Alex Mohan; Paddy O’Sullivan, Simon Fingleton, Kevin Swayne; Conor Heffernan, Rob Tyrrell; Mikie Dempsey, Ronan Coffey, Pa Kirwan; Evan O’Carroll, Daragh Galvin, Brian Byrne.

Subs: Paul Kingston for Byrne (41), Ben Dempsey for Lacey and Cian Nolan for M Dempsey (both 49), Rioghan Murphy for O’Carroll (59), Darren Brennan for Coffey (61).

London: Andrew Walsh; Liam Crowley, Conor O’Donohue, Sean O’Donohue; Finbarr Crowley, Conall Gallagher, David Gouldson; Liam Gallagher, Liam Murphy; Ciaran Diver, Joe McGill, Kristian Healy; Michael O’Reilly, Shay Rafter, James Davis.

Subs: Josh Obahor for Healy (25, Inj), Tighe Barry for Gouldson (38), Daniel Clarke for Murphy (47), Henry Walsh for O’Reilly (56), Nathan Freeman for Davis (60).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).