Limerick survive early scare to secure victory over Laois

Limerick 1-25 Laois 1-19 Limerick got a bit of a scare before they had a six points win against Laois at Kilmallock, mainly thanks to Seanie Tobin who popped over a dozen points.

A goal from a penalty by Zane Keenan after only two minutes got Laois away to the best possible start and it was all of 21 minutes before Limerick had their first point from play.

By that stage Laois led 1-6 to 0-5 with three of the Limerick points being scored by Tobin from frees and another free by goalkeeper Aaron Murphy with Tobin also getting one from play.

Tom O'Brien with a superbly struck point from a sideline left only a goal between them and at half-time Laois led 1-9 to 0-10 with Declan Hannon getting the last of the Limerick points.

The centre back also had the first point of the second half and a Tobin free and Hannon from a 65 had it all square after five minutes.

Limerick finally took the lead, fittingly from a Tobin free, and Tom O’Brien made it five in a row for the home side.

Once in front Limerick never looked back and with second spot secured they coasted to victory.

Limerick’s goal came after 59 minutes when Tom O’Brien was rewarded for an industrious all-round display when he raced through. That made it 1-19 to 1-13 and in the final ten minutes they both scored six points.

Limerick's Sean Tobin was made of the match with 12 points (eight frees). LIMERICK: A Murphy (0-1, free); S Walsh, R McCarthy, S O'Brien; C King, D Hannon (0-3, one 65), C Allis; J Ryan, P Browne; D Reidy (0-3), D Breen (0-1), D O'Grady; T O'Brien (1-3, 0-1 sl), P Begley, S Tobin (0-12, eight frees). Subs: J Fitzgibbon for O'Grady (46 mins), T Morrissey (0-1) for Begley (50 mins), D Morrissey for Allis (54 mins), A Breen for D Breen (58 mins), C Lynch (0-1) for Ryan (62 mins). LAOIS: E Reilly; JA Delaney, C Healy, C Dunne; J Fitzpatrick 0-1, T Delaney, J Walsh; Z Keenan (1-3,(pen gl, frees), P Purcell; W Hyland (0-2, one sl), P Whelan (0-4), C Dwyer (0-2); B Conroy, T Fitzgerald (0-1), P J Scully (0-5, three frees). Subs: D Palmer (0-1) for Delaney (h-t), P Purcell for Dwyer (45 mins), B Reddin for Keenan (60 mins). Referee: P O'Dwyer (Carlow).