A LITTLE over a year since he took charge Justin McNulty has seen his side claim their first bit of silverware.
In Wexford Park on Sunday Laois were in control from early on and while there will be far more for¬midable opponents ahead, the Laois manager will have been very happy with the performance of the team.
From the moment Paul Cahillane found the net just three minutes into the final Laois held the upper hand. In particular he would have been impressed with the defence which coped admirably with anything Wexford threw at them.
A miserable day weather-wise was made all the more uncomfortable for Wexford connections as their side struggled badly against a Laois outfit which adapted much better to the windy and greasy conditions, with the midlanders easing clear by 1-5 to 0-2 after 24 minutes and never really being in any danger.
The only time the eventual winners were behind was when Ben Brosnan pointed Wexford in front from a free on the left wing after 65 seconds.
In hindsight, an indication of the lethargy which bedeviled Wexford’s form on the day could be gauged from how Laois stole into a lead on three minutes which they never subsequently relinquished.
A speculative shot from the right by Ross Munnelly appeared to be heading wide.
But while the Wexford backs indulged in a spot of ball-watching, they allowed Paul Cahillane pounce to grab a goal.
Wexford did peg back a point on six minutes, when a fantastic piece of improvisation by Aindreas Doyle set in motion the move which saw Brosnan cut the gap down to 1-0 to 0-2.
However, Wexford struggled badly otherwise while Laois dominated in many departments, especially around midfield, while a former resident of their centre-field, Pádraig Clancy got through lots of good work upfront.
David Conway was also a thorn in Wexford’s side, and he, together with wing-back Conor Boyle, made it 1-2 to 0-2 on 11 minutes, just before Laois had a gifted goal disallowed for an apparent square-infringement, with a free from long-range sailing all the way to the net, only for play to be pulled back for the infraction saving Wexford blushes.
Nevertheless, the visitors pulled clear by 1-5 to 0-2 as Conway (2, including one free) and Clancy delivered, before Ben Brosnan brought a rare moment of relief to Wexford, when his shot from the left curled just inside the uprights on 27 minutes.
Although Laois hit back with two more points from Conway (including one free), Wexford were given a glimmer of hope on 33 minutes when Paddy Byrne capitalised on a defensive mistake to touch the ball to the net after a free from Brosnan had fallen short.
However, the locals’ ongoing troubles in terms of transferring the ball meant that they weren’t able to build on that breakthrough, and instead Laois pushed clear by 1-9 to 1-3 at the break as corner-back Peter O’Leary and Damien O’Connor obliged.
Laois established a comfortable eight point cushion within eight minutes of the restart with contributions from Ross Munnelly (free) and another defender, Darren Strong.
But Wexford then enjoyed a period of real promise. Hiwever, they kicked four wides in this particular spell while only reaping some small joy in the form of two more pointed frees, both from Brosnan.
That made it 1-11 to 1-5 with 13 minutes remaining.
But Laois were making it particularly difficult for Wexford in their efforts to try to burrow a route back into serious contention as Justin McNulty’s men got plenty of bodies behind the ball when ever they were on the defensive, and consequently Wexford only mustered one more score, a point, the second-last score of the game, from sub Ciarán Lyng.
In the meantime, Laois increased their comfort-zone with points from Munnelly (free), John O’Loughlin, Damien O’Connor and, finally, Stephen O’Leary, as they coasted to a third Shield title.
While all associated with Laois were delighted with the victory, the most significant consequence is that this will give Laois a lift in the run up to their National League opener against Mayo in O’Moore Park next Saturday.
If the momentum in maintained Laois can be a force in the league.