Stunning second half performance advances Laois to Celtic Challenge semi-final
Jack Mahon came on as a sub and scored a point in the Celtic Challenge quarter-final defeat of Kildare Photo Denis Byrne
Laois 2-28
ildare 2-10
LAOIS have advanced to the Celtic Challenge semi-final after an impressive display against Kildare in the LOETB Centre of Excellence on Saturday morning. A brilliant second half from Laois proved the difference, as they blitzed Kildare in the first ten minutes after the break.
In an even first half Laois led at the interval by a single point, and it looked like it was going to go down to the wire. But in the end the home were too good for the visitors, It was the ultimate team performance with everyone playing their part throughout the game.
Kildare opened the scoring with a free from Myles Darcy, who was Kildare’s main threat. Laois responded with two points from Killian James and Bobby O’Connor.
Kildare were winning a lot of ball around the middle and got another two points from Darcy to regain the lead, but again Laois responded through O’Connor and Scott Kelly.
The first goal of the game came from Kildare after brilliant work from Sean Coleman who found Finian O’Rourke who rattled the back of the net.
Laois again responded well to the goal with points from Kelly and Fergal Brennan. It was end to end stuff at this stage with Kildare putting themselves in front through more Darcy frees.
Laois finished the half strong and added four points through Jamie Fitzpatrick, O’Connor, Scott Kelly and Rory Standish with Hugh Quigley scoring for Kildare to leave the scores at 0-11 to 1-7 to Laois at half time.
Laois came out a different team and blew Kildare away after 10 minutes of the half by scoring 2-4 without reply, the goals coming from Dan Bowe, who also hit the first 1-3 after the break.
The other goal came from Jamie Fitzpatrick, and it was a long way back for the visitors. Kelly and Killian James added further points with Laois now in cruise control.
Kildare finally got a score from another Darcy free before Laois hit another purple patch as they moved through the gears to complete a brilliant team performance.
Points from Kelly who grabbed four more with Tadgh Hughes, Jack Mahon, Davy Delaney, Bobby O’Connor and Dan Bowe all raising the white flag as Laois ran riot.
Kildare did battle hard and got a point from Cillian Ó Muircheartaigh but it didn’t stop Laois who picked off another two scores through John Gilbert and Cian Fitzpatrick.
The away side did get a consolation goal from Neil Reynolds, but the competitiveness of the game was over at that stage.
Harry Donoghue got Laois’ last score of the game with a brilliant point but Kildare had the last say with a point from Ronan Lenehan, but it didn’t stop Laois from cruising to victory.
SCORERS:
Laois: Scott Kelly 0-9 (0-6fs), Dan Bowe 1-3, Bobby O’Connor 0-4, Jamie Fitzpatrick 1-1, Killian James 0-2, Fergal Brennan, Rory Standish, Tadgh Hughes, Jack Mahon, Davy Delaney, John Gilbert, Cian Fitzpatrick, Bobby McWey and Harry Donoghue 0-1 each.
Kildare: Myles Darcy 0-6 (0-3fs), Finian O’Rourke and Neil Reynolds 1-0 each, Sean Coleman, Hugh Quigley, Cillian Ó Muircheartaigh, and Ronan Lenehan 0-1 each.
LAOIS: Shane Carroll (Portlaoise); Conor Hickey (Borris/Kilcotton), Darragh Keeshan (Borris/Kilcotton), Jacob Hillard (Camross); Ben Meade (Mountrath), Harry Donoghue (The Harps), Evan McEvoy (Ballypickas); Rory Standish (Rathdowney/Errill), Tadhg Hughes (Clonaslee/St Manman’s); Scott Kelly (Rosenallis), Bobby O’Connor (Trumera), Killian James (St Paul’s); Jamie Fitzpatrick (Ballinakill), Dan Bowe (Rathdowney/Errill), Fergal Brennan (Clough/Ballacolla).
Subs: Shay McEvoy (Clonaslee/St Manman’s), Ryan Haslam (Portlaoise), Conor Sweeney (Ballyfin), Oisin McRedmond (Portlaoise), John Gilbert (Borris/Kilcotton), Jack Mahon (Mountmellick), Davy Delaney (Clough/Ballacolla), Bobby McWey (Ballypickas) Cian Fitzpatrick (Camross).
KILDARE: Ryan Cattigan; Cathal Cosgrove, Ryan Cooke, Oisin Curran; Aodhan Dowling, Charlie Allen, Dylan Daniels; Aaron Moylan; Myles Darcy, Finian O’Rourke, Michael Reilly; Sean Coleman, Neil Reynolds, Sean Higgins.
Subs: Fergal Tully, Cillian Ó Muircheartaigh, TJ Carr, Patrick Knox, Hugh Quigley, Ronan Lenehan, Patrick O’Brien.
