Laois push Wexford hard

Wexford 1-15 Laois 0-15:A third-minute David Redmond goal helped Wexford weather a staunch Laois challenge and fashion a three-point victory in this Walsh Cup first-round game at Monamolin yesterday.

After Zane Keenan had pointed the visitors in front on two minutes, the crucial goal arrived one minute later.

Some excellent approach play from Wexford led to Redmond finding space and the newcomer made no mistake with a low shot to the net.

Laois came close to scoring a goal in the 13th minute but a fine double save from Dermot Flynn denied James Young from a free, while he reacted quickly to prevent a Tommy Fitzgerald effort from the rebound crossing the line.

Young chipped in with four first-half points, three frees and one 65, but it was Rory Jacob who shone brightest. Jacob struck over six points - four from frees - to give the home side a 1-9 to 0-7 interval lead.

The Laois attack began to play with greater purpose on the resumption as points from Young and Keenan left three separating the sides. Wexford had to wait until the 48th minute for their first second-half score, a Rory Jacob point from play.

Although Laois responded with a John Rowney point, they were never able to reduce the deficit below the three-point margin. Rory Jacob continued to fire over some excellent points, while one minute from the end Young had a rising free deflected over for a point.

WEXFORD: D Flynn; B Malone, P Roche, M Travers; R Kehoe, D Stamp, J O'Connor; M Jacob (0-1), D Redmond (1-0); M Doyle (0-1), E Quigley (0-1), W Doran (0-2); J O'Loughlin, MJ furlong, R Jacob (0-10, six frees). Subs: D Lyng for Kehoe, K Burke for Furlong. D O'Connor for O'Loughlin.

LAOIS: P Mullaney; B Campion, M Whelan, S Norton; JA Delaney, J Phelan, B McEvoy; J Fitzpatrick, J Young (0-9, eight frees, one 65); T Fitzgerald, E Holohan, Z Keenan (0-3); J Brophy (0-1), J Rowney (0-2), N Holmes. Subs: S Hanlon for Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald for McEvoy, C Coonan for Norton.

Referee: D Connolly (Kilkenny).