Laois turn the tables

Antrim 1-12 Laois 0-18:LAOIS WELCOMED the 49 times Ulster champions to Portlaoise on Saturday evening and were in search of a first championship victory in four years and also a first win in any competition over their visitors since 2005.

Playing into a stiff breeze, Laois were the better team for most of the opening half, but were still lucky to be level terms at the break. John Brophy, making his first appearance after a prolonged injury absence, opened the scoring with a Laois point after four minutes and James Walsh doubled the margin two minutes later.

The visitors, who had beaten their hosts this year in the Walsh Cup and the league, were slow to get into the game, but got on the scoresheet with a good point by Paddy Richmond in the 12th minute and the teams were level two minutes later thanks to a pointed free by Karl McKeegan, and he went on to add three of their four points before the interval all from placed balls.

Seán Delargy added a fine score from play on 25 minutes, but Brian Campion sent over the equaliser two minutes before the break leaving it 0-6 each.

Laois went three points clear after 50 minutes, but Antrim fought back and, when Paddy Richmond was fouled after 42 minutes, Neil McManus drove a bullet-like shot to the net.

Laois, however, responded with three points in quick succession to reclaim a lead they would not surrender.

LAOIS: T Doran; J Delaney, D Maher, B Stapleton; M Whelan, B Campion (0-2), M McEvoy; C Delaney (0-2), J Walsh (0-2); E Jackman, O Holohan, W Hyland (0-8); E Costelloe, T Fitzgerald (0-1), J Brophy (0-3); Subs: J Rowney for Costelloe (43 mins), B Dunne for Jackman (55 mins), J Purcell for Fitzgerald (68 mins).

ANTRIM: R McGarry; K McGourty, N McGarry, A Graffin; C Herron, J Campbell, N McAuley; S Delargy (0-1), K McKeegan (0-7); N McManus (1-0 pen), C Donnelly, E McCloskey; P J O’Connell, P Richmond (0-2), J Scullion; Subs. M Herron (0-2) for O’Connell (24 mins), B Herron for McAuley (40 mins), D McKillop for McCloskey, K Kelly for C Herron (57 mins)

Referee: P O’Connor (Limerick).