This was one loss that was hard to take

FOR the second year in succession Laois lost out on a Leinster Intermediate Championship in Netwatch Cullen Park and again it was agonisingly close to victory.

This group have had a remarkable run of reaching every final available to them since the 2024 campaign, but painstakingly for them they have managed to get their hands on just one trophy and lost out in four of the five finals.

For the large part of the game on Saturday it appeared a given that this would be another one that got away as Carlow dominated possession of the ball and were camped in the Laois half for much of the contest.

Carlow are a physical and well drilled side and having competed in Division 2 of the league as opposed to Laois in Division 3, this was always going to be a tough ask for them travelling to Dr Cullen Park.

An early spell of Carlow was handled quite well by Laois as the hosts did all the attacking for the opening 10 minutes or so but the sides came out of that period with a point apiece before Carlow eventually broke down the last line of defence.

A fantastic cross field ball found its way into the path of the lively Leah Ryan and despite the best efforts of Ellen Conroy on the line the ball hit the net for a goal.

Laois responded well with a couple of scores and something which manager Pat Collier pointed out was the goal chances that they didn’t execute, and the first was Susie Delaney midway through the half when her shot was excellently saved.

Along with that Laois also missed four first half frees, something which Carlow didn’t quite have to contend with as their free taker Eleanor Treacy was outstanding.

Treacy launched a free over from the 65 and when she didn’t see one from similar range drop short, Carlow still salvaged a point to take a three point lead at half time.

Another goal chance going begging early in the second half as Aimee Collier saw her shot graze the crossbar, but that was the signal for Laois’s resurgence.

Carlow lost their centre-back to injury before half time and that certainly weakened their defences as Laois began to break through with a bit more freedom, eventually winding up in a goal for Kirsten Keenan after a darting run from Kaylee O’Keeffe.

That moment appeared to truly turn the tide and it appeared that once Laois got in front they were about too atone for last year’s loss, but it wasn’t to be and Treacy showed again how vital it is to have a dead ball specialist.

She flung a 65 metre free down on top of the Laois backs who must have been blinded by the blazing sun as the ball deceived absolutely everyone and fell into the net, causing instant heartbreak for the O’Moore women.

‘It’s the hope that kills you’, or so they say, and that was most certainly the case.

Laois showed little sign of winning that contest until the final quarter and to come that close only for it to be snatched away in excruciating circumstances is a tough one to take.

On the other hand, it’s a great way to fuel a resurgence in the All-Ireland Series.