Lethargic Laois overcome slow start

"Reactive in the first half and proactive in the second," said Laois manager Colm Browne after he had witnessed the good and the bad habits of his young side during a belatedly comfortable win over Wexford at Dr Cullen Park in Carlow yesterday. After a clumsy first-half display, his side were strikingly impressive after the interval.

The cohesion and scoring power of the Laois men once they ironed out the cobwebs, having found themselves trailing by three points nine minutes into the second half, was too much for Wexford to handle.

The 20-minute rampage that left Wexford's earlier promise in tatters began with three quick points from Brian "Beano" McDonald (who has been seen in better form), Ian Fitzgerald and Noel Garvan.

Ger Halligan, the Wexford manager, was shell-shocked by the Laois ambush. "When they came at us, they were all over the place. The big prize today was a visit to Croke Park. We need big games to keep football going in the county, otherwise some of the players are off horse riding or playing soccer," said Halligan

Wexford stayed in their dressing room for 17 minutes at half time but Halligan said: "We didn't mean to, we just lost track of the time, treating some bumps and bruises."

Wexford's first-half performance was full of confidence but once the ball was delivered into the front runners the sound work of midfielders Jack Berry and Willie Carley was wasted.

The pace captured the attention of the 6,000 crowd, but passing standards and general vision were poor. Often, the ball was given away to an opponent just as a score seemed imminent. Laois didn't escape criticism in this respect and manager Browne slammed his team for giving away a couple of late scores. "That aspect of our play was disappointing," he said. Laois were obliged to start without Colm Parkinson, whose thigh injury did not respond to treatment. Browne introduced former Dublin player Shane Cooke of St Mary's (Saggart) but the move was unsuccessful and Cooke was taken off early in the second half.

The Laois ploy was to play only two players in the front line of attack, and Kieran Kelly did a splendid job as a third midfielder. There were also excellent performances from Joe Higgins, Ian Fitzgerald, Chris Conway, Dave Sweeney and Noel Garvan. "Kieran did a fine job," said Browne, who was aware of the Wexford threat right up to the final whistle. "We got that wake-up call in time but it could have come earlier," reflected Browne.

Just before half time, the plucky Wexford attack, mainly inspired by John Hegarty and the incisive Tom Howlin, went close to scoring. The move that led to the chance was brilliantly contrived, and involved Diarmuid Kinsella, Pat Forde and Colm Morris. However, Laois goalkeeper Fergal Byron advanced to save Redmond Barry's low shot, and the score stayed level, 0-7 to 0-7, at half-time.

The Laois forwards never got as clear a chance at goal despite their second-half dominance. The nearest they came to hitting the Wexford net was when McDonald sent in a good centre but Ollie Murphy made a timely advance to deny John Kealy.

McDonald has had better games, although he added two points. He shared the front running duties with Chris Conway Laois's top scorer with six points, four coming from play.

Laois 0-18: C Conway 0-6, two frees; I Fitzgerald 0-4, three frees, one 45; D Sweeney 0-3; B McDonald 0-2; K Kelly, N Garvan, J Kealy 0-1 each.

Wexford 0-14: J Hegarty 0-6, three frees; L O'Brien 0-5, three frees; R Barry, D Murphy, T Howlin 0-1 each.

Referee: P Devlin (Kilkenny).

Attendance: 6,000 (est).