SHC ALL IRELAND QUALIFIER
LIMERICK 0-20 LAOIS 1-14
LAOIS hurlers came within 10 minutes of creating one of the biggest shocks in modern hurling in Semple Stadium on Saturday evening. Thanks to a stunning display of committed and high-quality hurling, it was only in those final 10 minutes that the exertions of the previous hour caught up with them.
From number one to 15 and the substitutes introduced these lads sweated blood for the Laois cause. The number of times Laois players pulled off full length blocks was a clear indication of the determination displayed by this side.
But this performance was not all about huff and puff. This performance showed there are good hurlers within the county. In particular in the opening period, when the teeming rain made classic hurling a near impossibility, Laois players displayed a wide range of skills, out playing their more illustrious opponents.
During this period Laois dominated the midfield sector winning ball time and time again. And they were sticking to a plan. Gone were the days when, as Niall Rigney put it, ‘we would try to drive the ball to the ‘Top Square’. On Saturday they played an intelligent game, always looking for a better placed player to pass to. And there were plenty of these as each and every one of the side ran into spaces looking for the pass.
Laois got the type of start any side could only dream of, and they fully deserved it. Willie Hyland converted a free inside the first minute. Minutes later Tommy Fitzgerald landed a fabulous point from out close to the sideline. Eoin
Costelloe made it three in three minutes with another great strike.
It was beyond belief when the Tipperary native struck for a goal a minute later. Hyland sent in a good pass which a Limerick defender missed allowing Costelloe to bear down on goal and let off a rasping shot. Brian Murray did well to block it but Costelloe was alert and blasted the rebound to the net.
And it was to get better as Hyland popped over another free after Costelloe had been fouled. Eight points up after just seven minutes and Limerick had yet to register a score.
The Tribesmen rallied and points from Paudie McNamara, Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Paul Browne and Gavin O’Mahoney halved the deficit.
But one thing this Laois side does not lack is bottle and they displayed that admirably on Saturday. Great work by Owen Holohan set up Eamon Jackman and when John Brophy found the target there were six between them.
Limerick came back with three of their own while Laois’ only response was point from Brophy lurking out wide on the right.
On the half hour Hyland split the posts from out under the stand but Limerick replied with a brace of point to leave just a goal separating the sides at halftime, 1-9 to 0-9.
Laois started the second half as they did the first. Points from Fitzgerald and Hyland in the opening couple of minutes had five between them again. O’Shaughnessy and Hyland swapped points but Limerick were now coming more into the game. They were to shoot four points without reply but this could have been worse but for the determination of the Laois rearguard. Repeatedly, Limerick players had their attempts blocked down or were hooked just as there about to pull the trigger. With the minimum between them, Hyland settled Laois nerves a little with a 53rd minute free but the O’Moore lads were beginning to look a little leg weary. Their first half endeavours on behalf of the jersey were beginning to tell.
The introduction of the Limerick substitutes was to prove crucial to the eventual outcome. One of them, James O’Brien, narrowed the gap and Limerick were level for the first time with O’Shaughnessy’s 59th minute free.
Limerick went in front with points from Mike and James O’Brien while Hyland kept Laois’ hopes alive with a 67th minute free. But with points from James O’Brien and Dave Breen Limerick earned a quarter-final meeting with Dublin.
LIMERICK: Brian Murray; Damien Reale, Stephen Lucey, Tom Condon; Seamus Hickey, Brian Geary, Mark Foley; Gavin O’Mahoney (.-., .f), Donal O’Grady; James Ryan (.-.), Mike O’Brien, Paul Browne ( Donnacha Sheehan (.-.), Paudie McNamara (.-.), Andrew O’Shaughnessy (.-., .f). Sub: Denis Moloney for Condon (..mins), James O’Brien (.-.) for M. O’Brien (..mins), Dave Breen (.-.) for Sheehan (..mins), Donie Ryan (.-.) for Browne (..mins).
LAOIS: Tadhg Doran; John A Delaney, Darren Maher, Brian Stapleton; Matthew Whelan, Brian Campion, Michael McEvoy; Colin Delaney, James Walsh; Eamon Jackman (.-.), Owen Holohan, Willie Hyland (.-., .f); Eoin Costelloe (.-.), Tommy Fitzgerald (.-.), John Brophy (.-.). Subs: James Young for Holohan (..mins), Brian Dunne for Rowney (..mins), Dayne Peacock for Costelloe (..mins).
REFEREE: Cathal McAllister (Cork)