Sport

Laois spoil Armagh's homecoming

NFL DIVISION ONE: Laois 2-11 Armagh 2-8: WHAT HAD initially promised to be a colourful “homecoming”’ for Armagh – their first…

Mon Feb 16 2009 - 00:00

NFL DIVISION ONE: Laois 2-11 Armagh 2-8:WHAT HAD initially promised to be a colourful "homecoming"' for Armagh – their first National Football League tie in the refurbished Athletic Grounds for over a decade – instead turned into an acutely embarrassing exercise.

Armagh capitulated to a more vibrant Laois side over the last quarter. In the 44th minute the match, occasionally fractious up until then, suddenly exploded into violence with referee Pat Fox flashing red cards to Armagh pair J P Donnelly and Peadar Toal and Laois duo Brian McCormack and Brendan Quigley.

With both teams suffering casualties of sorts in the first half – Armagh lost skipper Ciarán McKeever and his replacement Aidan O’Rourke to yellow cards while Laois were robbed of full back Mark Timmons and midfield ace Noel Garvan through injuries – the balance of power on the scoreboard alternated.

Finnian Moriarty’s early goal had sparked home optimism but Peter O’Leary’s spectacular Laois goal in the 19th minute established the tit-for-tat scoring pattern. Armagh led 1-6 to 1-5 lead at the break chiefly because of Ronan Clarke’s pronounced influence.

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But when the busy Donie Brennan smartly steered in a second Laois goal, Armagh’s composure gradually dissolved. And although Clarke drilled in a fine 49th-minute goal, Laois showed more authority and finesse. Pauric Clancy and Ross Munnelly added important late points and clinical defending kept Armagh at bay.

LAOIS:M Nolan; P Begley, M Timmons, R Stapleton; P O'Leary (1-0), G Reddin, P McMahon (0-1); P Clancy (0-1), N Garvan; B McCormack (0-2), B Quigley, J Horan; D Brennan (1-1), R Munnelly (0-3), C Bergin. Subs: C Ryan for Timmons (6 mins), M Tierney (0-2, one free, one '45') for Garvan (17 mins), P McNulty (0-1) for Horan (26 mins), K Meaney for Bergin (48 mins). Red cards: McCormack, Quigley (both 44 mins).

ARMAGH:P McEvoy; F Moriarty (1-0), V Martin, B Shannon; C Rafferty, C McKeever, J P Donnelly; J Lavery, C Vernon; M O'Rourke, B Mallon (0-1), P Toal (0-1, free): K O'Rourke (0-2), R Clarke (1-2), R Henderson (0-1). Subs: A Rourke for C Mc Keever (yelow card 9 mins), A Mallon for A O'Rourke (yellow card 32 mins), S McDonnell (0-1, free) for Henderson (47 mins), P McKeever for M O'Rourke (55 mins), Red cards: J P Donnelly, P Toal (both 44 mins).

Referee:Pat Fox (Westmeath).