Laois through as Carlow are outclassed
LEINSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL:
Laois 1-17 Carlow 1-09, O'Moore Park
Brave Carlow's Leinster SFC run came to an end at O'Moore Park today as Laois set up a repeat of last year's final against Dublin with a 1-17 to 1-09 defeat of their neighbours.
Mick O'Dwyer's men booked a June 25 semi-final clash with Dublin as cousins Brian McDonald and Donie Brennan starred in front of a Portlaoise attendance of 14,100.
Brennan was fouled for a 14th-minute penalty that was dispatched by keeper Fergal Byron. Laois held a 1-07 to 0-05 advantage at the interval.
Simon Rea, who slotted home an injury-time penalty, kept Carlow competitive but the attacking class of McDonald, Brennan and Ross Munnelly really told.
Corner forward Brennan signalled his side's intent in the sweltering conditions with a point after only 40 seconds. A score from full forward and championship newcomer Paul Lawlor followed in the fourth-minute.
Carlow, who had the use of a billowing breeze, waited a full 24 minutes until captain Mark Carpenter opened their account. By that time, Laois were cruising with 1-05 already on the board.
Munnelly bagged two points before Brennan earned Laois a penalty. The experienced Byron sidled up and planted the ball beyond the reach of his opposite number John Brennan.
A point from 'Beano' McDonald followed and Carlow were staring at a drubbing. But Liam Hayes' side gathered their wits and four points in as many minutes from Carpenter, Patrick Hickey – with a right footed free, Rea and Joe Byrne got them back into it. Rea and Laois centre forward Chris Conway swapped frees as the half came to a close with a right-footed over from Munnelly putting the hosts 1-07 to 0-05 in front at the short whistle.
A purple patch for Laois with McDonald and Munnelly particularly on song saw Carlow go further behind early in the second half, but points from Rea and wing back John Hayden raised the Barrowsiders' hopes.
In the 54th-minute Carlow missed out on a galvanising goal when midfielder Thomas Walsh bounded forward and smacked a shot goal-bound which was unfortunately smothered away in a scramble.
Laois pushed 1-14 to 0-08 clear with four points in a row from McDonald, Brennan, substitute Ian Fitzgerald and Munnelly – all in the space of three minutes.
There was no way back for Hayes' men as Laois skipper Gary Kavanagh and Brennan tagged on further points. Carlow, who face Meath in the first round of the qualifiers, did raise a final cheer in the fifth-minute of injury-time when Rea, who top scored with 1-04, pinged home his penalty to the right of Byron.
LAOIS: F Byron; A Fennelly, C Ryan, P McMahon; D Rooney, T Kelly, J Higgins; N Garvan, P Clancy; R Munnelly, C Conway, G Kavanagh (capt); B McDonald, P Lawlor, D Brennan.
CARLOW: J Brennan; C McCarthy, B Farrell, T Smith; J Hayden, J Byrne, J Ryan; P Walsh, T Walsh; B Carbery, M Carpenter (capt), P Hickey; B Murphy, S Rea, A Kelly.
