Laois hang on to reach the last four

LEINSTER MFC QUARTER-FINALS: Laois 0-17 Wicklow 1-13:LAOIS ARE once again through to the last four of the Leinster minor football championship.

At Portlaoise on Saturday they twice came from behind to snatch victory in a very evenly-contested affair that saw 28 frees in the opening half, the total reaching 51 in the second mostly because of the new hand-pass rule.

Wicklow midfielder Conor McGraynor was the star of the opening half, scoring the opening point from a 50-metre free and adding three more, although he also had costly wides.

Laois had good points by Paul Kingston and Dale Byrne, while midfielder Jamie Farrell also contributed excellent scores to put the home team four in front, but Wicklow hit back with points from Shane O’Rourke. A penalty converted by Michael Mangan left the visitors in front by 1-6 to 0-8 at the break.

Laois pulled away in the second half and although Aaron Murphy reduced the margin to a single point from a 45, Laois hung on.

LAOIS: G Brody; S Murphy, L Kearney, R Dunne; P McEvoy, J Bolton, K Bracken; J Farrell (0-3), A Ryan; N Mullen, D Byrne (0-4), D OConnor (0-2); S McCauley (0-1), D Hayden (0-2), P Kingston (0-5). Subs:M Dowling for J Bolton, J Campion for D Byrne, E Costelloe for N Mullen.

WICKLOW: P Miley; P OToole, P OConnor, J Manley; B Swords, S Ryder, J Kelly; C McGraynor (0-8), J Henderson; A Murphy (0-1), M Mangan (1-0), P Crowley; S ORourke (0-2), N Meldon, P ORourke. Subs:D Keane (0-1) for S Ryder, S Olohan (0-1) for P ORourke, M Healy for P Crowley.

Referee:Brendan Hickey (Kildare)