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Laois' 13 survive red cards

Laois, despite being reduced to 13 players, still had it easy in the second half as they strolled to a comfortable seven-point…

Mon Mar 06 2000 - 00:00

Laois, despite being reduced to 13 players, still had it easy in the second half as they strolled to a comfortable seven-point victory over a makeshift Wexford at Gorey.

Having moved into a 1-7 to 1-6 lead, Laois were reduced to 14 players when Derek Conroy was sent off after 39 minutes. However, they still continued to express themselves and even when midfielder John Kealy became the second player to receive the red card, 13 minutes from the end, Laois were comfortably in front 1-13 to 1-6.

At this stage they had killed off any notions of a shock home victory, and Wexford's chances certainly disappeared when midfielder Michael Kavanagh was sent off with nine minutes remaining.

Wexford showed a level of resilience in the first half, despite being short eight regulars. They made the ideal start through a Jason Lawlor goal in the fifth minute after a Ross Dunphy effort had rebounded off the upright.

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The home side, having led 1-3 to 0-2 after 15 minutes, were rocked when a splendid Stephen Kelly pass set up midfielder Noel Garvan for an excellent 30th-minute goal, a score which saw the sides go in level (1-6 each) at the interval.

With John Kealy and Noel Garvan gaining midfield control the Laois challenge was boosted through excellent points from Stephen Kelly (four), Garvan, Kealy and Colm Parkinson before Wexford had their solitary second-half score, a Ross Dunphy-pointed free nine minutes from the end.

However, it was Laois who remained in total control, maintaining their 100 per cent record with 10 points from five games played.

Laois: F Byron; G Ramsbottom, T Kelly, P Conway; D Conroy, K Fitzpatrick, G Doyle; J Kealy (0-1), N Garvan (1-1); D Sweeney, C Conway (0-2), P Clancy; S Kelly (0-7), I Fitzgerald (0-1), C Parkinson (0-2). Subs: J Higgins for P Conway, P Dunne for Clancy, A Fennelly for S Kelly.

Wexford: O Murphy; C Morris, S Shaughnessy, P Kehoe; D Breen, D Ryan, B Kavanagh; D Kent, M Kavanagh; N Morris, M Mahon (0-2), M Byrne; J Lawlor (1-2), J Berry, R Dunphy (0-3). Subs: B Doyle for Berry, D Stafford for B Kavanagh, E Whelan for Breen, B Kinsella for N Morris.

Referee: N Cooney (Offaly).