Drama across the Barrow as Laois snatch late, late draw to reach another final
A thumbs up from Laois's Tomás Keyes, who was on fire from placed balls against Carlow in the Joe McDonagh Cup game at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday Photo: Paul Dargan
Laois 1-20
Carlow 2-17
LAOIS and Carlow have produced many great exciting games since they were first paired in the Joe McDonagh Cup seven years ago. Carlow prevailed that day and went on to claim the first title.
On Saturday last the neighbours convened once more at Laois Hire O’Moore Park, this time the stakes were just as high. A big attendance packed into the stand in anticipation of another close encounter. They would not be disappointed.
Laois fired over the first point from play. Carlow responded with a pair of points by Chris Nolan and Marty Kavanagh.
With five minutes played a Carlow move saw Chris Nolan slam home the game’s opening goal. Laois drove a 65 wide before Tomás Keyes added a second point from play.
Laois shot another wide but a long delivery by Padraig Delaney saw a goal separating the teams after seven minutes. Laois were moving well and points were traded between Marty Kavanagh and Tomás Keyes.
Laois posted the next three points in quick succession and when Keyes landed his third in a row, the scoreboard read 0-7 to 1-4 with 18 minutes on the clock. When Keyes added another brace of points, Laois led for the first time.
In the 26th minute Marty Kavanagh drove over the equalising point. The next seven minutes saw Carlow drive over four wides and Laois shoot a brace.
Carlow then hit a purple patch. Marty Kavanagh converted two frees and at this stage Carlow were dominating.
The lead would change hands again as Keyes struck for three more in a row while Carlow were guilty of four wides at the same time.
Laois saw their centre back, Padraig Delaney pick up a yellow card after 32 minutes. And in the closing minutes of the half Carlow picked off three points, two from placed balls by Marty Kavanagh while Keyes was denied a goal after in the 33rd but added another point from a 65. Delaney closed the first half scoring and as they headed to the dressing room the board read Carlow 1-9 Laois 0-11.
Who was the happier manager was debatable. Laois had shown greater hunger and both were dependent on their sharpshooters.
Carlow opened the second half account with points from Kavanagh. At the other end defender Tom Cuddy calmly opened the Laois account after five minutes. Paddy Boland struck for Carlow. Again Keyes added a brace of points from placed balls.
The clock was showing 54 minutes when Carlow struck for their second goal, well finished by Paddy Nolan and now Carlow were hurling with confidence.
Both managements introduced replacements as Tomás Keyes added two good points from placed balls with 12 minutes remained. Marty Kavanagh responded by dpoing likewise.
Laois sub Aaron Dunphy fired over a good point and with ten minutes remaining Laois trailed 0-17 to 2-14.
In the 67th minute Laois substitute James Duggan added a point. Now three points was the margin.
I’m not so sure if everyone present realised that a draw was sufficient for the O’Moores when it was announced that at least three minutes of added time would be played, and it looked doubtful that Laois would be able to manufacture a goal in that time.
Carlow then conceded a 65 and the three minutes had elapsed. Padraig Delaney, who limped off six days earlier, stood over the 65. The crowd watched as the ball descended into the goalmouth. When the Carlow keeper looked behind him people realised the ball was in the net.
The Laois contingent knew that was sufficient for another trip to Croke Park on 8 June.
The debate as to who got the final touch on the sliotar that crossed the line in the fourth minute of injury time was eventually credited to substitute James Duggan.
Laois: Tomás Keyes 0-14 (0-9fs, 0-2 65s), James Duggan 1-0, Charles Dwyer, Tom Cuddy, James Duggan, Padraig Delaney, James Keyes, Aaron Dunphy 0-1 each.
Carlow: Marty Kavanagh 0-10 (0-7fs, 0-2 65s), Paddy Boland and Chris Nolan 1-1 each, Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Ciaran Whelan, Jon Nolan, James Doyle and John Michael Nolan 0-1 each.
Cathal Dunne (Clough/Ballacolla); Donnacha Hartnett (Rosenallis), Lee Cleere (Clough/Ballacolla), Diarmuid Conway (Clough/Ballacolla); Tom Cuddy (Camross), Padraig Delaney (The Harps), Ryan Mullaney (Castletown); John Lennon (Rosenallis), David Dooley (Rosenallis); Aiden Corby (Clough/Ballacolla), Charles Dwyer (Ballinakill), Paddy Purcell (Rathdowney/Errill); Jer Quinlan (Borris/Kilcotton), Tomás Keyes (Camross), Ben Conroy (Slieve Bloom).
Subs: Aaron Dunphy (Borris/Kilcotton) for Lennon (52m), Mark Dowling (Camross) for Dwyer (60m), James Duggan (The Harps) for Conroy (60m), James Keyes (Colt-Shanahoe) for Quinlan (58m).
Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Dion Wall, Tony Lawlor; Evan Kealy, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh; Ciaran Whelan, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Jon Nolan, James Doyle, John Michael Nolan; Chris Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Paddy Boland.
Caymon Flynn (Westmeath)
