Séamus Plunkett sees plenty of room for improvement for Laois despite big win over Carlow

Laois 1-22 Carlow 0-14

Laois maintained their 100 per cent record in the Leinster SHC qualifier group with a comfortable victory over Carlow in Portlaoise but manager, Séamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett is adamant they will need to improve if they are to have an impact in the latter stages of the competition.

Stephen Maher scored 12 points for the home side. Tommy Fitzgerald's 46th minute goal ensured a comfortable run-in against a hard-working Carlow outfit who were reduced to 14 men when Hugh Paddy O'Byrne received his second yellow card for a dangerous pull on Maher.

Plunkett dispensed with the sweeper system for this game and felt his players struggled to adapt at times. “We were quite happy with the result but there were aspects of the performance we’ll need to be better on” said Plunkett.

“But there were lot of aspects of our game that I’d be disappointed with. The transfer of the ball needs to be a little quicker. I thought the combination play in the forwards needs to be a little more precise in terms of moving the ball into the scoring area. So there’s work for us to do.” Maher had three of the game’s first four points as the hosts pushed clear with the aid of a strong wind and it was the 13th minute before Denis Murphy – who recorded 10 points himself after missing an early opportunity from a free – got Carlow on the scoreboard.

Carlow were just two points behind after 27 minutes but Laois finished strongly with five points from Neil Foyle, Maher (two), Patrick Whelan and Charlie Dwyer to lead 0-14 to 0-8 at half time.

The Blues had extended that advantage by one when Fitzgerald put the tie beyond doubt with a 46th minute goal.

It was a straightforward finish for the Portlaoise man from close range, after being found by Willie Hyland.
LAOIS: E Reilly; JA Delaney, B Campion, B Stapleton, J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan, T Delaney, D Palmer (0-1), P Whelan (0-1), S Maher (0-12, 8fs), C Dwyer (0-2), W Hyland (0-2), N Foyle (0-1), R King (0-2), T Fitzgerald (1-0). Subs: J Campion (0-1) for T Delaney (ht), J Brophy for Dwyer (55), B Reddin for Fitzgerald (62), C Dunne for King (67), D Maher for JA Delaney (70).
CARLOW: B Treacy; A Corcoran, P Doyle, G Kelly, HP O'Byrne, D English, R Coady, J Kavanagh, C Wall (0-1), P Coady, S Kavanagh, J Doyle, M Kavanagh (0-1), A Gaule (0-1), D Murphy (0-10, 9fs). Subs: D Byrne (0-1) for P Doyle (34), S Murphy for J Doyle (ht), P Kehoe for J Kavanagh (41), D Roberts for Wall (57), C Lawlor for P Coady (62).
Referee: C Browne (Galway)