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Trailing by nine-points at the interval a determined Laois side staged a strong second-half comeback against Down at O'Moore Park tonight, but in the end the O'Moore's made their exit from the 2008 Championship, as a last-ditch MJ Tierney attempt to send the game to extra-time slithered the wrong side of the cross-bar, as Down held out for a two-point win.
GAA All-Ireland SFC Round 2 Qualifier
Down 2-14 Laois 1-15
One of the key talking points in the lead up to this first ever Championship meeting of Laois and Down, was the decision to drop Ross Munnelly and MJ Tierney following disappointing performances against Longford in the previous round, yet the attacking duo, both of whom appeared as second half substitutes; and the youthful Donal Kingston provided a solid engine to steer Laois towards a chance at victory.
However in the end Laois dropped short, as a 72nd minute Tierney effort proved the difference between a Down victory and extra-time, with the second half substitute sending a late goal chance over the bar, to leave Laois hearts broken. The Ballyroan ace could have just as easily sent the ball to the net for a vital goal.
Down ran rampant in the opening half and really were lucky to get out of jail, as very little went the Mournemen's way on the restart.
The Laois attack were more hungrier and vibrant in the second half with Brian McCormack one of the unsung heroes on the night, with the centre-half-forward sending over three excellent scores, including Laois's first point after five minutes.
A straight red card for Down captain Dan Gordon in the 42nd minute provided one of the main talking points of the game, but despite the midfielders absence, the visitors weren't inept in the midfield sector, and Laois's second half comeback had already began before Gordon's dismissal.
Down gave a repeat performance of their magnificent display against Offaly the previous Saturday, as they burst out of the blocks strongly in the opening minutes.
The visitors were convincing in the opening half and held a nine-point lead at the interval, and although Gordon was dismissed for lashing out at Laois midfielder Pauric Clancy in the second half, the visitors withstood the pressure.
Down came out of the blocks strongly, and led by 1-4 to 0-1 after just ten minutes, with left-corner forward John Clarke engineering a ninth minute goal, with Brendan Coulter and free-taker Aidan Carr also getting on the score-sheet.
Coulter, Clarke and Carr continued to torment an out of sorts Laois defence, who lapsed for a second time in the 26th minute when Coulter found the net to create a nine-point gap.
McCormack proved to be a solid force on the half-forward line throughout this game, the Portlaoise man finished with three points, including Laois's third point in the 13th minute
The O'Moore's kept in touch in the final seven minutes of the half with scores from Kingston and Colm Parkinson, and were unlucky not to edge closer after left-half-back Pauric McMahon popped up for a goal effort but watched his kick blast wide of the target, as Down held a convincing 2-11 to 0-8 interval lead.
McMahon was injured in the process as Down corner back Colm Murney marshalled strongly, and although the Ballyroan defender continued until the break he failed to show on the restart as David Murphy was introduced in his place
 Buoyed on by the introduction of Ross Munnelly and Murphy at half-time, Liam Kearns side were a changed force on the restart as the large home support sprang to their feet as Donal Kingston rocked the Down net, two and a half minutes after the restart following a Munnelly point.
Kingston's goal came following some quick thinking by the Laois attack, after Colm Parkinson had been fouled by Down substitute Peter Turley.
Laois continued to pile on pressure following Gordon's dismissal, holding Down to just one point in the third quarter as they cut the gap to four points, following Brian McCormack's third score of the contest.
Down rallied as full-back Aidan Carr converted his fourth free of the contest, but Laois dug deep with 53rd minute substitute continuing Laois' comeback as the corner forward converted back-to-back frees to leave a goal between the sides at 2-13 to 1-13, with seven minutes remaining.
Corner back Cahir Healy stepped up to the mark with his first Championship point a minute later, and with Down mis-firing on three occasions in as many minutes Laois had a real chance to steal this game.
However Kevin McKernan put Down three points clear as the game entered injury-time and although the Laois attack created a chance for Tierney to slot the ball to the net for extra-time, he failed to seize the moment as the ball went over the bar, and Down booked a spot in tomorrow's Round 3 draw.
Down Scorers: Brendan Coulter 1-2; Aidan Carr 0-4 (4f); John Clarke 1-1; Kevin McKernan 0-3; Paul Murphy, Ambrose Rodgers, John Fegan, Ronan Murtagh 0-1 each.
Laois Scorers: Donal Kingston 1-5 (4f); MJ Tierney(2f), Brian McCormack 0-3 each; Cahir Healy, Barry Brennan, Colm Parkinson, Ross Munnelly (1f) 0-1 each.
DOWN: Brendan McVeigh; Mickey Cole, Luke Howard, Colm Murney; Paul Murphy, Aidan Carr, Kevin McGuigan; Dan Gordon, Ambrose Rodgers; Ronan Murtagh, Kevin McKernan, John Fegan; Danny Hughes, Brendan Coulter, John Clarke. Subs: Peter Turley for Cole (17); Jack Lynch for Fegan (46); Declan Rooney for Murtagh (48); Ronan Sexton for Clarke (59); Stephen Kearney for Murphy (66); James McGovern for Hughes (66);
LAOIS: Michael Nolan; Joe Higgins, Tom Kelly, Cahir Healy; Peter O'Leary, Darren Rooney, Pádraig McMahon; Pauric Clancy, Brendan Quigley; Barry Brennan, Brian McCormack, Billy Sheehan; Colm Parkinson, Colm Kelly (St. Joseph's), Donal Kingston. Subs: Mark Timmons for Rooney (27); Ross Munnelly for Kelly (HT); David Murphy for McMahon (HT); MJ Tierney for Brennan (53); Colm Kelly (Stradbally) for McCormack (67)
REFEREE: Derek Fahy (Longford) |
