Laois reverse recent trend

NFL DIVISION TWO Laois 0-13 Kildare 0-9:NOT SINCE 2003 had Laois accounted for neighbours Kildare but on Saturday night they turned on the style.

Kildare looked a stronger side when Dermot Earley returned after injury but he pulled up with an ankle injury eight minutes before the full-time whistle.

Kildare shot three early points before Michael Tierney opened the home side’s account from a free. Once they found the target, Laois improved and when Kildare registered their next point Laois had brought their total to six, with Tierney landing half that total.

Kildare hit points through James Kavanagh and substitute Daryl Flynn but Laois points from Tierney and Darren Strong saw the home team lead 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval.

John Doyle reduced the arrears for the visitors but Laois defender Pádraig McMahon replied almost immediately. John Doyle then hit a free but Laois were taking a grip at midfield even before Kildare lost Earley and Colm Begley sent over a super point after 50 minutes. Laois took control in the closing 10 minutes and points by Kevin Meaney, Craig Rogers and Donal Kingston sealed victory.

LAOIS: M Dowling; C Ryan, D Booth, C Healy; P McMahon (0-1), M Timmons, C Begley (0-1); B Quigley, K Meaney (0-1); B Sheehan, Craig Rogers (0-2), D Strong (0-1); M J Tierney (0-5), D Kingston (0-2), N Donogher. Subs: P O'Leary for C Ryan, R Munnelly for N Donogher, D Rooney for B Quigley.

KILDARE: P Flood; E Bolton, H McGrillen G White; M Scanlon, B Flanagan, M O'Flaherty; R Kelly, D Earley (0-1); R Sweeney, J Kavanagh (0-2), D Whyte; E Callaghan, K Donnelly, J Doyle (0-5); Subs: D Flynn (0-1)for K Donnelly, P O'Neill for R Kelly, W Heffernan for D Earley.

Referee: Pat Fox(Westmeath).