Laois will long repent spurning their opportunity to beat Kilkenny in Croke Park yesterday. A place in the Leinster final and even in the All-Ireland quarter-finals was there for the taking, with their lead of three points after 21 minutes of the second half indicating that they had the measure of Kilkenny for the first time in more than 20 years.

Their failure to add to their score in the last 14 minutes illustrated both their own inadequacy and the resilience of Kilkenny. In the end, the shrewdness of Kilkenny on and off the pitch proved the difference. Laois had the misfortune to lose two of their central characters in the first half. Perhaps the loss of Owen Coss at half-time could have been overcome but the loss of midfielder Declan Conroy after only 15 minutes was a blow from which they never really recovered. To their credit, they kept in touch in that troubled first half and were a mere point adrift, 1-6 to 0-8, at the break. The concession of another goal after six minutes of the second half would have taken the wind out of the sails of a lesser craft than Laois, but they struck back immediately with a goal of their own, and then went on to a three-point lead before running out of ideas.

It may seem churlish to put so much emphasis on the Laois effort given that Kilkenny showed that they are not fully tuned.

One can only speculate about how they will look if D.J. Carey recovers his poise and penetration. Yesterday he was little more than a shadow of his former self and his thunder was stolen by Charlie Carter, who tormented the Laois defence throughout the match.

The form of experienced players such as Pat O'Neill at full back, Philip Larkin at midfield and P.J. Maloney at full forward gave the lie to rumours about discontent in the Kilkenny camp and, when they fire on all cylinders, they will represent formidable opposition for all.

Although the standard of hurling was not of the highest order, the match never faltered in its intensity. On a pitch that might have been improved by another centimetre or so of grass, the ball was moved with some pace and style and there were some fine passages of play.

Kilkeny's defence was rock solid, with the central figures of Pat O'Neill and Canice Brennan in fine form while, in the corners, Tom Hickey and Liam Keoghan were vigilant and alert.

These players limited the Laois opportunities and it was significant that most scores came from long-distance efforts.

Kilkenny called in Denis Byrne as a replacement for Brian McEvoy just before the start and he responded by whipping over the opening score of the match after less than a minute when set up perfectly by Carter. Kilkenny had a slight edge in the opening exchanges but Laois managed to restrict them until P.J. Delaney took the bit between his teeth in the 14th minute and made a mazy run through the Laois defence, finally outpacing Ray Fogarty and shaking off a tackle by Andy Bergin before driving the ball wide of Ricky Cashin.

Laois were soon to lose Conroy but they kept plugging away and long-range points from Cyril Cuddy and David Cuddy, who scored from a free, kept them in touch, with Paul Cuddy contributing a free from more than half-way and Ollie Dowling contributing another long-range effort after stepping in for Conroy.

Carter was causing serious problems. After a splendid point from far out, he hoodwinked the Laois defence with a brilliant side-step and pass and Laois were forced to concede a free on Delaney for Carey to score from the placed ball. The excellent David Cuddy then scored just before half-time.

The match really came alive early in the second half. After a Delaney shot was brilliantly saved by Cashin, Niall Maloney forced the ball over the line but within a minute Laois's Mark Rooney deflected a long lob to lift Laois hearts after the Kilkenny defence had hesitated.

Laois then had their best period of the match. Between the ninth and 21st minutes they managed to build up a three-point lead but things then fell apart - their sheet remained blank as Kilkenny took control. Kilkenny have every reason to feel confident that they can improve on this performance. A sharper attack will be needed if they are to win the Leinster championship but there are indications that players such as Carey, Phelan, Bryne, Maloney and McEvoy, who came in as a sub, are going in the right direction. Laois need not be too disappointed. They put up stiff resistance for most of the match but, in the end, the loss of Conroy and Coss cost them dearly.