Kelly hits late to earn Laois a replay

Holders Laois came very close to surrendering their Leinster title in Tullamore yesterday for it took an injury-time point by Tom Kelly to draw with Westmeath in a cracking provincial final. Westmeath, although forced to make two late changes to their selected side following the failure of wing back David Kilmartin and centre forward John Brennan to pass fitness tests, were by far the better side in the opening 30 minutes. However, they only changed ends on level terms. With his side trailing by 0-5 to 0-1, full forward Danny Doogue threw Laois a lifeline with a 19th-minute goal.

Although Westmeath again went four points clear, the holders finished the half strongly. An injury-time goal by centre back Derek Conroy was followed by an equalising point by Tom Kelly which left the sides deadlocked at 2-2 to 0-8 at the interval. Within 17 seconds of the resumption Joe Fallon sent Richie Brown through for a great goal which restored Westmeath's lead and they went on to lead by 1-12 to 2-6 with 10 minutes remaining. Laois finished the stronger side and although they missed a couple of scoring opportunities, they deservedly earned a second chance thanks to late points by Stephen Kelly, Chris Conroy and Tom Kelly.

The replay has been fixed for the same venue next Sunday and few of yesterday's 9,000 attendance will willingly forego a second helping of such lively and spirited football.

LAOIS: R Darby; JP Kehoe, K Fitzpatrick, J Higgins; N Collins, D Conroy (1-0), C Parkinson; M Delaney (0-3), N Garvan; S Kelly (0- 1), C Conway (0-2), T Kelly (0-2); B McDonald, D Doogue (1-0), G Kavanagh (0-1). Subs: P Langton for Parkinson, J Behan for Kavanagh, D Rooney for Doogue.

WESTMEATH: C Mullin; P Mullen, J Galvin, F Murray; B Lambden, A Canning, M Burke; K Burke, D O'Shaughnessy; J Fallon (0-5), F Wilson, R Brown (1-0); S Deering, D Dolan (0-6), M Ennis (0-1). Subs: A Daly for Deering, JP Casey for Wilson.

Referee: S McCormack (Meath).