Laois, who have been struggling without a win up to this, bounced back with a vengeance at Nowlan Park yesterday when they scored a well deserved victory over Kilkenny. Not even the return of DJ Carey could inspire a very subdued Kilkenny team. Carey joined the fray to a huge ovation in the 27th minute.

While he scored two points from frees and made a 45th minute goal for Niall Maloney, he could not do enough to compensate for the big difference in class between the teams on the day.

But there was no doubting Carey's special place in the heart of Kilkenny fans. Every time he touched the ball the stadium lit up and a huge wave of anticipation swept around the ground.

But on the day Laois were by far the better team, and this victory takes them above Kilkenny in the table. The visitors served notice of intent from the word go. After only 30 seconds Owen Coss was fouled and David Cuddy pointed the free. A minute later, PJ Peacock was deprived of a goal by an excellent save from Kilkenny goalkeeper Joe Dermody.

In the seventh minute Adrian Ronan shot the equalising point for Kilkenny, but it was to prove their lone score of the half. Kilkenny had luck on their side moments later: Fionan O'Sullivan breached the defence, and only a desperate late tackle from Liam Simpson prevented him goaling.

While others were out of luck in front of goal, David Cuddy could do no wrong for the dominant Laois men. He shot five points in the first half and Peacock and Declan Rooney landed one each to take the winners into a well-deserved 0-7 to 0-1 half-time lead.

The Laois half-back line of Niall Rigney, Paul Cuddy and Andy Bergin never gave their opponents a look in and Ollie Dowling and Declan Conroy ran the show from midfield.

Kilkenny continued to struggle during the third quarter during which the teams twice swapped points. In the 45th minute Carey produced a piece of magic to make a goal for Moloney. Seconds later Charlie Carter pointed to cut the difference to a bridgeable 1-4 to 0-9.

As ever, David Cuddy proved inspiring for Laois. He shot a point to knock back the home side, and afterwards there was only going to be one outcome.

The one sad note for Laois was the late sending off of corner back John Shortall.

Laois: R Cashin; J Shortall, R Fogarty, B Maher; N Rigney, P Cuddy (0-2), A Bergin; O Dowling, D Conroy; PJ Peacock (0-1), D Rooney (0-2), D Cuddy (0-8); F O'Sullivan, O Coss, C Cuddy.

Kilkenny: J Dermody; T Hickey, J Costelloe, L Simpson; P Larkin, P O'Neill, W O'Connor; C Brennan, A Comerford; P Barry, J Carey, A Ronan (0- 1); C Carter (0-1), N Moloney (1-0), K O'Shea (0-1). Subs: L Keoghan for Comerford (15 min); DJ Carey (0-2) for Barry (27 min); D Byrne for O'Shea (52 min).

Referee: P Aherne (Carlow).