Foyle leads Laois from the front

LEINSTER MHD QUARTER-FINALS: Laois 4-11 Meath 1-11 A TOTAL of 3-5, 3-3 from play, by full forward Neil Foyle boosted Laois to a comfortable victory over Meath at Páirc Tailteann on Saturday with two early goals setting up the visitors for the success.

Foyle and Darragh Cushen found the net in the opening seven minutes and, with Foyle firing in the third goal, it was 3-2 to 0-5 at the break.

Meath’s threat came from Mark O’Sullivan and his goal after 41 minutes reduced the deficit to three points. But that was as close as the home side got and Foyle’s third goal came soon after that.

LAOIS : B Wall; D Bergin (0-2, one free), L Hegarty, P Flynn; W Campion, D Holohan, J Finnane; G Burke, TJ Lalor; D Cushen (1-0), T Ryan (0-1), D King (0-2, one sideline); W Dunphy (0-1), N Foyle (3-5, 0-1 65, 0-1 free), R Foyle. Subs: G Gaughan for R Foyle (40 mins), D Gilmartin for Cushen (43 mins), P Hardy for Lalor (57 mins), M Phelan for Bergin (60 mins).

MEATH : T Quinn; S Morris, S Carroll, S Moran; S Brennan (0-1), B Murray, T Raleigh; R Hatton (0-3, two frees, one 65), E Marsh; K Keoghan (0-2), D Magee (0-1), G Kelly; K Keena, C Flattery, M O’Sullivan (1-4). Subs: S O’Brien for Quinn (24 mins), W Harnan for Flattery (40 mins), C Foley for Moran (43 mins), S Bagnall for Marsh (45 mins), A Healy for Keogan (58 mins).

Referee : G McGrath (Dublin).