The day Pat Roe planned Laois’s downfall
Wexford manager Pat Roe urges his team against Laois in 2005 Photo: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
THIS week as Laois prepare for another tilt at Wexford in the Leinster championship, we look back on a famous league meeting at Wexford Park in 2005. Wexford were bidding to reach a league semi-final for the first time in 55 years.
A year earlier Laois beat Wexford to deny them a knockout place but not on this occasion. Laois were on a bad run of form as they headed to the South East where a large crowd awaited them.
Wexford took control in the opening half scoring goals at crucial stages. Mattie Forde was the big name in the home colours and he rifled the opening goal after 15 minutes. Another one of the Wexford stars that day was Diarmuid Kinsella, a son of Tommie who played with Ballyroan before moving to Castletown in Wexford.
Laois stayed in touch with points from Chris Conway, Shane Cooke and Donal Miller but before half time Wexford substitute Darragh Breen got inside the defence and at half time Wexford led 2-7 to 0-9.
Laois brought on Donie Brennan and Colm Begley and they improved matters, Begley with the first point of the new half. Laois then went on a scoring spree landing three unanswered points to draw level.
But Forde was still doing the damage. Laois moved Billy Sheehan to midfield and Laois were hunting. Then Padraig Clancy was sent off on a second yellow card.
Donie Brennan was causing havoc and when Chris Conway converted two frees the teams were level entering the final quarter.
Darragh Breen edged the home team back in front and despite good opportunities Laois failed to add to their tally and the extra man was telling. Wexford added two late points and the Wexford manager, one Pat Roe, was chaired from the venue.
Wexford were headed for a semi-final where they sensationally beat Tyrone 1-8 to 1-7 but lost by seven points to Armagh in the final, but still a wonderful achievement for The Heath/Clonad club stalwart.
WEXFORD: John Cooper; Colm Morris, Philip Wallace, Niall Murphy; Robert Mageenan, David Murphy, Shane Cullen; Diarmuid Kinsella (0-1), Nicky Lambert; Dave Fogarty (0-1), Paddy Colfer (0-2), John Hegarty (0-1); Redmond Barry (0-1), John Hudson, Mattie Forde (1-5).
Subs: Kieran Kennedy for Fogarty, Brendan Doyle for Lambert, Darragh Breen (1-1) for Banville, George Sunderland for Morris LAOIS: Fergal Byron; Derek Conroy, Darren Rooney, Paul Begley; Padraig McMahon, Paul McDonald, Aiden Fennelly; Padraig Clancy, Noel Garvan (0-1); Ross Munnelly (0-3), Chris Conway (0-3), Donal Miller (0-2); Shane Cooke (0-3), Stephen Kelly (0-1), Billy Sheehan.
Subs: Joe Higgins for Conroy, Donie Brennan (0-1) for Kelly, Colm Begley for P Begley, Mark Dunne for Clancy (yellow card), Ian Fitzgerald for Sheehan, Paul Lawlor for Miller (inj).
Referee: Seamus McCormack (Meath)
