Laois make sure lightning not allowed to strike twice

Laois senior hurlers, as expected, progressed to a Leinster quarter-final meeting with Dublin, when they secured a very comfortable victory over a disappointing Carlow side at Portlaoise on Saturday evening.

In the preliminary round, Laois had easily accounted for Wicklow; but Carlow had caused the major upset when they eliminated fancied Meath six days earlier.

In the opening half, Laois were in complete control. Newcomer Robert Jones got the two opening points for the home side before Gary Doyle opened the visitors' account with a well taken point after six minutes.

However, once Joe Phelan scored a Laois goal, Carlow were always chasing the game.

Midway through the half, Damian Culleton placed Liam Tynan for a second Laois goal and midway through the half the winners led 2-5 to 0-3.

Carlow did improve in the second quarter but found the Laois defence very solid and at the interval the home side led 2-11 to 0-5.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half saw Carlow produce their best hurling. Full forward Des Murphy scored a spectacular goal and points from Pat Coady and Des Murphy narrowed the margin to eight points.

However, five minutes later, Culleton struck for a vital Laois goal and when the same player added a second goal ten minutes from time, the game as a contest was well and truly over.

Both sides then had a player sent off in separate incidents and in the final minute of the game, Jones rounded off a memorable debut when he scored rampant Laois's fifth goal.

Laois now progress to their quarter-final meeting with Dublin at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, on May 25th.

LAOIS: J Lyons; L Mahon, Pakie Cuddy, R Delaney; Cyril Cuddy, Paul Cuddy, M McEvoy; J Young (0-4, fs), R Jones (1-5); J Phelan (1-1), P Mahon (0-1), E Meagher; B McCormack (0-2), L Tynan (1-1), D Culleton (2-1). Subs: M Rooney (1 yellow + 1 red card) for R Delaney; F O'Sullivan for B McCormack; L Wynne for E Meagher.

CARLOW: E Spruhan; W Hickey, S Kavanagh (1 yellow + 1 red card), D Shaw; K Nolan (yellow card), L Kenny (yellow card), J Hickey; P Coady (0-4, fs), K English (0-1); S Smithers (0-1), R Foley (yellow card), G Doyle (0-1); S M Murphy, D Murphy (yellow card; 1-1), P Keogh. Subs: Paddy Coady (0-1) for K Nolan; S Shiels for G Doyle; B Murphy for S M Murphy; M Keogh for P Keogh.

Referee: J Sexton (Limerick)