Laois 3-6 Wicklow 0-8
Laois bounced back from their NFL Division 2 final defeat to Kerry with a victory over Wicklow in the Leinster football championship at Dr. Cullen Park this afternoon.
Wicklow were up against it from the start as inspirational Rathnew duo, Tommy Gill and Trevor Doyle, were ruled out through suspension. Ronan, Mark and Darren Coffey were also unavailable to manager John O’Leary.
Nevertheless, the Garden County plodded into an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead and had Laois at a stretch for lengthy periods of the first half.
Laois did not score until the 20th minute but found their rhythm nearing the half-time break. Michael Lawlor found the net in the 22nd minute after an imaginative move that involved Brian McDonald and David Brennan.
McDonald then found the net himself on the stroke of half-time following a series of errors in the Wicklow defence. Laois led 2-2 to 0-5 at the break.
Wicklow were reduced to 13 men in the second half after Anthony Nolan and Colm Toomey received their marching orders. Laois then pushed home their numerical advantage and killed off the game with a Chris Conway goal.
Laois will play Offaly in the Leinster quarter-final while Wicklow go into the All-Ireland qualifier series.