DOWN MEMORY LANE – Laois and Antrim have history

TOMORROW sees Davy Fitzgerald still in search of a first victory since taking charge of the Saffrons. Last time out a late goal earned them a hard earned point in Netwatch Cullen Park. Then Laois beat Westmeath. And what they wanted quickly was another match but for the second time this campaign their game was cancelled this time against Carlow.

Now Laois make the long journey to Ballycastle for a 1pm throw in. Let’s hope they can one better than Carlow did last Sunday and Carlow are visitors to Laois Hire O’Moore Pak next weekend.

Antrim 1-18 

Laois 3-12 

LAOIS and Antrim have played many fierce battles down the years. Laois would have enjoyed a fair amount of success over their Northern counterparts but times have changed recently and, ironically since Darren Gleeson of Tipperary took over the men from the Green Glens, they have turned the tables.

Were it not for his unfortunate illness, Darren would be facing the team he brought on well this weekend.

It was April 2005 when Laois and Antrim clashed in a vital NHL game at Casement Park and the odds were against the O’Moore County. Antrim had entered the Leinster championship for the first time. Their first meeting in qualifiers was 2002 when Laois went to Belfast and won 0-21 to 1-16. James Young scored eight points for the visitors.

In 2005, back in Casement Park, Antrim got revenge 1-23 to 1-13 and the third meeting was in 2005 and James Young also scored 0-8.

In 2005 they met in a vital League game in Casement Park. Antrim began in style and after 20 minutes it looked all over but Laois rallied. Antrim went to the break leading 1-10 to 1-3. A Clonaslee one-two saw James Young pick out Mark Rooney who beat the Antrim keeper from close range for the Laois goal.

Two minutes into the new half another Laois move was finished by Mark Rooney to the net. Then James Young took control, scoring twice from placed balls and added a brace from play. Two Portlaoise men, Joe Phelan and Tommy Fitzgerald added Laois points and coming down the final stretch Laois trailed by just two points, 2-10 to 1-14.

Antrim lifted their game and Michael Herron added two vital points for the Saffrons. Next up Rathdowney/Errill man Liam Tynan beat two Antrim defenders to score a vital goal and ten minutes remained.

Laois sprung Trumera’s Cathal Brophy and he fired over a long range point that seemed to have given Laois victory.

However, there was controversy as the Armagh referee awarded Antrim a free converted by McGeegan. Then as Laois awaited the full time whistle, the referee again awarded a free to the men from the Green Glens and this time McGeegan levelled the game as Laois stormed in to protest.

Laois lost harshly when Darren Rooney was sent off but when they had a vital play off against Down a week later the Clonaslee man was granted a reprieve. Laois prevailed.

ANTRIM: David Quinn; Conor Hamill, Kevin Kelly, Michael Kettle; Michael McCambridge, Johnny Campbell, Graham Bell; Michael Scullion, Paddy Richmond (0-3); Michael Herron (0-6), Karl Stewart (0-1), Karl McKeegan (1-5); Darren Quinn, Michael Magill, Brian Quinn (0-2).

Subs: Johnny McIntosh (0-1) for Darren Quinn, John Connolly for Magill, Chris McGuckin for J McIntosh.

LAOIS Kevin Galvin; Brian Campion, Pak Cuddy, Michael McEvoy; Joe Fitzpatrick, Seamus Dwyer, Pat Mahon; James Young (0-6), James Walsh (0-1); Joe Phelan (0-1), John Rowney (0-1), Canice Coonan; Liam Tynan (1-1), Mark Rooney (2-0), Tommie Fitzgerald (0-1).

Subs: Darren Rooney for P Mahon, Cahir Healy for J Fitzpatrick, Cathal Brophy for C Coonan, Eamon Jackman for M Rooney.

Referee Gerard Devlin (Armagh)