Laois edge past Carlow to secure second league win
Laois stand for Abhrainn na bFhiann prior to throw-in for their Camogie National League game against Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday Photo: Paul Dargan
Laois 2-11
Carlow 2-9
LAOIS secured their second victory of this year’s Centra Division 2 Camogie League on Saturday afternoon, holding off a strong second-half fightback from Carlow in Netwatch Cullen Park.
The O’Moore County entered the game hoping to respond after last weekend’s defeat to Meath, and they did just that, edging their neighbours by two points at the final whistle.
Carlow have proven difficult opposition for Laois in recent seasons, with the Barrowsiders claiming wins over them in both 2024 and 2025. However, Laois started brightly this time around.
Aimee Collier opened the scoring inside the opening 90 seconds with a free she had won herself. Soon after, a neat Camross link-up saw Gráinne Delaney supply Collier for another point.
Carlow got off the mark five minutes in when Caoimhe Jordan split the posts, but Laois were controlling the early stages. By the 10-minute mark they had stretched their lead to 0-5 to 0-1. Sarah Creagh delivered a clever ball to Susie Delaney, who in turn set up Gráinne Delaney to add another score. Susie Delaney was causing constant problems in the corner forward line and soon provided another assist, picking out half-back Aoife Finlay for a point.
Carlow responded with consecutive points from Ciara Kavanagh and Róisín Joyce, but Laois then enjoyed their most productive spell of the game. In a seven-minute burst they hit 2-2 without reply. The first goal came after excellent interplay between Susie and Gráinne Delaney, who combined to send Collier through on goal before she blasted the ball to the top corner.
Gráinne Delaney and Collier followed with points before Delaney struck again for Laois’ second goal, finishing superbly after collecting a pinpoint cross-field delivery from Kirsten Keenan.
Carlow’s Sarah Sheehan added their final score of the half, but Laois still headed to the dressing room with a commanding 2-7 to 0-4 lead.
Aisling O’Dea opened the second-half scoring to extend Laois’ advantage. The game then went through a quieter spell before Aimie Nolan ended the drought with two points for Carlow.
Laois were still comfortably ahead at 2-9 to 0-6 after 47 minutes, but the home side suddenly sparked into life. Goals from Ciara Kavanagh and Abhainn Coady dramatically reduced the deficit, while Coady and Nolan added points to bring Carlow back within a single point.
With momentum swinging towards the hosts, memories of Carlow’s late surge in the 2025 Leinster final may have crossed Laois minds. However, they steadied themselves at the crucial moment. Points from Eimear Hassett and Aisling O’Dea helped restore a cushion, though Coady again narrowed the gap to the minimum before O’Dea struck once more.
Carlow were handed one final opportunity when they won a free on the 65 late on and dropped the ball into the square in search of a decisive goal. Laois defended resolutely, emerging with possession before referee Karol Collins sounded the final whistle.
The win gives Laois a two-week break before their final league fixture, when they face Westmeath on Saturday, March 21.
SCORERS:
Laois: Aimee Collier (0-2fs) and Grainne Delaney 1-3 each, Aisling O'Dea 0-2, Aoife Finlay, Eimear Hassett and Susie Delaney 0-1 each.
Carlow: Abhainn Coady 1-2, Ciara Kavanagh 1-1, Aimie Nolan 0-3, Caoimhe Jordan, Roisin Joyce and Sarah Sheehan 0-1 each.
LAOIS: Aedin Lowry (Camross); Laura Finlay (St Brigid’s), Ellen Conroy (O’Moore’s), Fiona Scully (Camross); Aoife Finlay (The Harps), Clodagh Tynan (St Brigid’s), Sarah Creagh (St Brigid’s); Sarah Fleming (Portlaoise), Lucy Conroy (O’Moore’s); Kaylee O’Keeffe (Abbeyleix), Kirsten Keenan (Camross), Grainne Delaney (Camross); Susie Delaney (Portlaoise), Aimee Collier (Camross), Aisling O’Dea (St Brigid’s).
SUBS: Eimear Hassett (St Brigid's) for Keenan (47m), Amy Lacey (The Harps) for L Conroy (52m), Catherine Kirby (The Harps) for Creagh (60m).
CARLOW: Emily O’Hara; Gillian Doyle, Michelle Nolan, Rachel Breen; Caoimhe Cuddy, Rebecca Kelly, Niamh Canavan; Molly Kavanagh, Eleanor Tracey; Eve Sinnott, Roisin Joyce, Sarah Sheehan; Caoimhe Jordan, Aimie Nolan, Ciara Kavanagh.
SUBS: Abhainn Coady for Joyce (47m), Clodagh Lawler for Treacy (47m), Sarah Joyce for Coady (50m), Aoibhinn Doyle for O'Hara (50m), Niamh Minchin for Sinnott (51m), Niamh Ahearne for Canavan (54m), Rhiannon Kenny for M Kavanagh (54m).
Referee: Karol Collins (Galway)
