Brennan the big difference

Leinster MF FinalLaois 0-10 Kildare 0-6 Laois finally added the Leinster title to their All-Ireland crown yesterday in the efficient fashion that has become the hallmark of Seán Dempsey's team.

Despite going all the way in 2003 it was done via the qualifier system after they lost to Dublin in the provincial decider. Yesterday, they kept their noses in front of a Kildare side which failed to take their chances when the purple patch arrived midway through the second-half.

Instead, the lethal Laois full-forward line caused the main damage with David Conway and Michael Tierney getting off the mark early on.

However, not for the first time, it was senior panellist Donal Brennan who was the main threat.

Brennan's talent allied with the ability to find space, despite constant attention, ensured Laois led 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval with the Arles-Kileen youth contributing two points.

But Kildare refused to roll over. Every score from the slick Laois forwards had to be earned while down the other end Alan Smith and Pauric O'Neill kept their side in touch.

What eventually came back to haunt the Lilywhites was the loss to injury of key forward Tommy Archbold three minutes before the break.

The Laois attacking trio all pointed again in the third quarter of the contest to put a goal between the sides. Smith reduced it with his second score of the day but his side were unable to produce the killer thrust. Also, seven of the Laois team have been in a Leinster final before. Priceless experience when the pressure comes.

On 56 minutes, after soaking up this pressure, Laois sauntered up field and with nothing seemingly on, Ian Fleming landed a point from near the touchline.

Laois kept the pressure up and the cracks began to appear as Kildare full back John Fogarty was shown a straight red card after he kicked out at Tierney off the ball. The corner forward replied by landing the resulting free.

The tension continued to boil over in injury-time as Pauric Kearney ensured Kildare finished with 13 players when he, too, was dismissed for receiving a second yellow card.

LAOIS: E Culliton; C Healy, M Timmons, B Meredith; K Smith, C Begley, N Donagher; B Quigley, C Rogers; E Butler, I Fleming (0-1), S O'Leary; M Tierney (0-4, two points), D Brennan (0-3), D Conway (0-2, two frees). Subs: S O'Neill for Butler (44 mins).

KILDARE: J Kindregan; D McEvoy, J Fogarty, I Lonergan; P Kearney, J Creighton, J Brosnan; C Hughes, P O'Neill (0-2, one free); B Bell, A Smith (0-2), C Kelly (0-1); M Conway, G White, T Archbold (0-1, one free). Subs: D Brennan for Brosnan (11 mins), C Brennan for Archbold (29 mins), T O'Connor for Creighton (60 mins).

Referee: S Doyle (Wexford).