Limerick are pushed hard

All-Ireland SHC Qualifiers Round Two/Limerick 2-15 Laois 1-9: As expected, Limerick collected their second victory in a week when they overcame a dogged Laois side at Portlaoise last night.

Limerick full forward TJ Ryan was the architect in chief of the Shannonsiders' latest success, with a total of eight points.

Before a crowd of over 1,000 Laois got off to a promising start when John Rowney pointed after just 30 seconds. But two in a row from TJ Ryan and another from Andrew O'Shaughnessy saw Limerick ahead 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes.

Mark Rooney and TJ Ryan traded points before Laois won a close-in free, which James Young drove to the roof of the net.

Limerick pulled away again with points from TJ Ryan and Niall Moran and then, on the stroke of half-time with the sides level, Limerick made a decisive move. Defender Ollie Moran took a pass from his brother Niall to score a brilliant goal and leave the visitors ahead 1-8 to 1-5 at the interval.

Limerick dominated the third quarter despite hitting several bad wides. TJ Ryan added three further points and a fourth from Niall Moran before James Young had two in a row for the home side.

Midfielder Donal O'Grady stretched the Limerick advantage but points from James Young and Joe Phelan left just four points between the sides and five minutes of normal time remaining.

Laois had one golden opportunity for a goal but a timely interception saw the ball cleared and, as they did in the opening half, Limerick closed the scoring with a well-taken goal, this time from substitute Pat Kirby.

Limerick face Galway next weekend to decide first and second places in the group.

LIMERICK: T Houlihan; D Reale, S Lucey, P O'Dwyer; O Moran (1-0), B Geary, K Tobin; D O'Grady (0-1), P O'Grady; C Fitzgerald, N Moran (0-3), A O'Shaughnessy (0-2); D Ryan (0-1), TJ Ryan (0-8), D Sheehan. Subs: P Kirby (1-0) for D Sheehan, P Tobin for C Fitzgerald, J O'Brien for D O'Grady, K O'Dwyer for D Reale.

LAOIS: P Mullaney; J Walsh, P Cuddy, M McEvoy; J Fitzpatrick, D Rooney, S Dwyer; J Walsh, J Phelan (0-1); D Rowney (0-1), L Tynan, J Young (1-5), T Fitzgerald (0-1); M Rooney (0-1), D Culleton. Subs: P Mahon for L Tynan, A Delaney for J Walsh, C Brophy for J Rowney, C Clear for S Dwyer.

Referee: E Morris (Dublin).