Laois Stoked

LEINSTER FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1
at Croke Park, Dublin.
Sunday 11th May 2003

Referee: Gerry Kinneavy (Roscommon) 

17,142 may have braved the inclement weather to watch the triple header served up at Croke Park on Sunday last but by the 4.20 throw-in for Laois V Wexford game only a fraction of those were still at the ground. A dower affair in which Laois showed their dominance from start to finish was brightened up by the magnificent performances from both Brian 'Beano' McDonald and Ross Munnelly for Laois.

Laois had the chance of a goalright from the start of the game when after just 12 seconds gone Michael Lawlor had  a first time shot saved by Wexford keeper John Cooper. Ross Munnelly whostarted in place of Stephen Kelly opened the scoring for the O'Moore's with under two minutes gone in the game. From Cooper's kickout Wexford had a goal chance of their own and when Scott Doran found himself in front of goal with only Laois keeper Fergal Byron to beat he fluffed his chance and shot wide.

Doran levelled matters with under seven minutes gone with an excellent shot from play. Then it was all Laois, Pauric Clancy sent a quick free in to Damien Delaney who laid on the ball to Damien Delaney who sent a hand pass to the onrushing Ian Fitzgerald who had no problems in drilling the ball to the back of the net.

Michael Lawlor followed this up with a quick point less than a minute after and points from Damien Delaney and Brian McDonald gave Laois a six point lead 1-4 to 0-1 after 18 minutes.

The Yellowbellies hit back with a brace of points from Scott Doran and Matty Forde but this effort failed to put a spark back into Wexford's step. Ross Munnelly, who was excellent on his Championship debut for Laois popped over a point as the 27th minute approached. Matty Forde and Munnelly exchanged points as did Ian Fitzgerald and Leigh O'Brien before Forde had the final score of the half with a pointed free in injury time leaving just four points between the sides at the break on a 1-7 to 0-6 scoreline.

Wexford would have been confident coming out for the second half with only a four point gap between the sides but Laois made the better of the early showing. Before the resumption Derek Conroy was introduced for Kevin Fitzpatrick, the only Laois player to receive a yellow card on the day in which Laois were a well disciplined side.

Laois added three points early on from Damien Delaney, McDonald and Munnelly before Wexford opened their second half account with a point from Matty Forde after eight minutes.

Brian 'Beano' McDonald had an excellent score from play in the 9th minute and then a brace of points from Willie Carley and substitute Tomás Mahon for Wexford left five points between the sides after 20 minutes of action Laois 1-11 Wexford 0-9. Dominance then changed totally in favour of the Laoismen as midfielders Pauric Clancy and Noel Garvan excelled by establishing total dominance in the middle of the park. Garvan himself added a excellent score that any forward would be proud of in the 23rd minute and this started a run of 6 points in a row all from play for Laois.

The other scores coming from Munnelly, Kelly, Lawlor and McDonald his fifth point of the day powering Laois into an eleven point lead and Wexford with an enormous mountain to climb with seven minutes left.

David Murphy had a consolation score for Wexford with a point in the 33rd minute but the day belonged to Laois and this was capped off with points from Beano and a free from Michael Lawlor 3 minutes into injury time. Laois now face Offaly in two weeks time in a local derby in Portlaoise while Wexford see themselves heading for the qualifiers.  Micko and his charges will now be looking forward to atough test against Offaly and will know that nothing comes easy against the Faithful County.

MAN OF THE MATCH : BRIAN MCDONALD (LAOIS)

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