Carey goal deflates Laois

A sharp, lucrative scoring burst early in the last quarter which netted 1-2, the goal a DJ Carey cracker, really hurt Laois and put Kilkenny on the road to victory at Nowlan Park yesterday.

Laois, who had been led all the way, had moved within two points of their opponents in the 47th minute after David Cuddy and Declan Conroy had scored back-to-back points to leave the score 111 to 0-12.

But the determined home side responded magnificently, and two quick points followed from Charlie Carter and the star of the match, Henry Shefflin. But even better was to come for the fanatical 5,000 home fans. In the 22nd minute Brian McEvoy put a ball through for midfield, and Carey, charged through the Laois defence before shooting a wonderful goal which stretched the difference to a match-winning 2-13 to 0-12. Laois tried hard to retrieve the game during the closing stages. But even if they did outscore their opponents by four points to two they never looked like pegging them back.

On a crisp and dry day the hurling was always good and the entertainment level was excellent, particularly during the third quarter, when Laois threatened most.

At one stage during the first half the winners were a commanding 1-7 to 0-4 in front. The goal was snatched by Brian McEvoy in the 18th minute after he galloped 40 yards before striking to the net.

Points late in the half from Declan Rooney and David Cuddy lifted Laois's spirits and they went in for the break 0-6 to 1-7 behind. Their second-half fightback was sparked by points from Niall Rigney, Mark Rooney and David Cuddy.

Kilkenny: M Carey; J Butler, J Costelloe, P Larkin; M Kavanagh (0-1), E Kennedy, P Barry; A Comerford (0-1), T Murphy; DJ Carey (1-1), J Hoyne, B McEvoy (1-0); K O'Shea (0-1), H SHefflin (0-8), C Carter (0-3).

Laois: R Cashin; PJ Peacock, P Cuddy, B O'Shaughnessy; D Russell, N Rigney (0-4), A Bergin; O Coss, D Conroy (0-2); D Cuddy (0- 6), D Rooney (0-2), C Cuddy; L Tynan, M Rooney (0-1), J Young (0-1). Subs: E Murphy for Russell (31 min); F O'Sullivan for Coss (36 min).

Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary).