Laois 2-15 Kerry 2-10: Mick O'Dwyer recruited three of the Laois minors for his senior panel before this game. It will come as no surprise now if he makes room for another half dozen or so after a roller-coaster performance by a talented side in this All-Ireland minor football championship semi-final at Croke Park yesterday.
The three already given the senior nod are full back Cathal Ryan, midfielder Brendan Quigley and corner forward Colm Kelly (Stradbally) all of whom contributed much of the work that fashioned what may have been a surprise result but one that was truly deserved.
The back-to-back All-Ireland winning Laois sides of the 1990s could not have produced the same high-pitch performance this side unleashed in the second half when they turned a five-point deficit into a five-point lead. Kerry were relegated to a disorganised side that could only score two second-half points, from frees.
Delighted Laois manager Seán Dempsey felt two factors fired his side in the second half. The first was when Michael Tierney's 45 rebounded, partly off the bar and Kerry goalkeeper Brendan Kealy's finger tips. Colm Kelly (St Joseph's) fisted to the net and within seconds Chris Bergin lashed over a point for the lead.
The second inspiring aspect of the second half for Dempsey was an uplifted display by forward leader Kelly (St Joseph's).
Kerry looked comfortable for most of the first half with Damien Breen and Brian Moran operating well in midfield and captain Dan Doona and Bryan Sheehan threatening the front line of attack.
Kerry's inability to score highlighted their attack's weaknesses. Doona and Sheehan had chances for goals but thanks to good saves by goalkeeper Conor Gorman they had to be content with a Doona point and a 45 forced by Sheehan.
Laois pounced on everything - in the first half when Kerry goalkeeper Brendan Kealy dropped the ball, Bergin rammed home Laois's first goal to level the scores in 14 minutes. Minutes earlier left half-forward Micky Bowler provided a rare piece of Kerry attacking flair when took a loose ball and finished to the net.
Kerry forwards were so slow in their build ups and lost possession readily. Alert Laois defenders such as Cahir Healy and Peter O'Leary frustrated Kerry's more promising efforts. With Kerry sitting on a 2-8 to 1-8 lead in the third quarter Healy defended a dangerous cross from the right by Doona, intended for David Geaney, with great skill, averting danger of a goal.
The Laois recovery began when midfielder Craig Rogers won possession at the restart and soloed through for a point.
LAOIS: C Gorman; C Healy, C Ryan, R Stapleton; P O'Leary, C Begley, N Danagher; B Quigley, C Rogers (0-1); D Brennan (0-1), Colm Kelly (1-1), P McNulty; M Tierney (0-3, two frees), C Bergin (1-5), Colm Kelly (0-4, four frees).
KERRY: B Kealy; M Curran, L Quinn, P Reidy; C Kelleher, S O'Sullivan, J McGillacuddy; D Breen, B Moran; M Murphy, B O'Grady (1-1), M Bowler (1-0); D Doona (0-4, two frees) B Sheehan (0-3, one 45, one free) D Geaney (0-2). Subs: S O'Shea for Bowler (53 mins); D O'Sullivan for Murphy (55 mins); J Buckley for Geaney (57 mins).
Referee: M Daly (Mayo).
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