Late strike saves Clare

National Hurling League/ Clare 1-16 Laois 2-11: Laois gave Clare the fright of their lives at Cusack Park, Ennis, on Saturday.

But for a late goal from substitute Daithí O'Connell, Clare would have been left with egg on their faces at the end of a game the midland side dominated for long spells.

Clare looked far from convincing, except for a three-minute spell close to the end in which a goal and three points were scored. It proved enough to take the points, but the performance on the day will give manager Anthony Daly cause for concern.

Laois started brightly and led by 0-2 to 0-0 within two minutes. Clare had to wait until the eighth minute to register their first score, a Tony Carmody point from distance.

After a quarter of an hour the sides had three points apiece when Laois were awarded a penalty for an over-zealous challenge by Gerry O'Grady. Goalkeeper Patrick Mullaney sent the sliotar to the back of the Clare net from the spot.

Laois' Phillip Russell was denied by the woodwork on two occasions in the first half, and they deservedly led by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.

Within six minutes of the restart Clare had drawn level before Seán McMahon edged them in front with three long-range frees.

Canice Coonan, Robert Jones and Joe Fitzpatrick hit back for Laois to keep the visitors in contention.

When substitute Cathal Brophy pounced on a breaking ball to strike another Laois goal in the 59th minute, an upset was on the cards.

But Daly rallied his troops and the vital three-minute spell produced four scores, including O'Connell's goal, to seal an unimpressive victory against a spirited and unlucky Laois outfit.

CLARE: P Brennan; C Harrison, B O'Connell, G O'Grady; D Hoey, S McMahon (0-4, three frees, one 65), D Clancy; D McMahon, G Quinn; C Lynch (0-1), C Plunkett (0-1), F Lohan (0-1); T Kearse (0-1), T Griffin, T Carmody (0-5, two frees). Subs: D O'Rourke (0-3) for Plunkett (50 mins), D O'Connell (1-0) for Lohan (56 mins), B Lynch for Kearse (58 mins), C Forde for B O'Connell (64 mins).

LAOIS: P Mullaney (1-0, penalty); B Campion, P Cuddy, L Tynon; J Fitzpatrick (0-1), S Dwyer; M McEvoy, D Doyle, J Walsh (0-2); C Coonan (0-4, three frees), D Walsh (0-1), E Browne; D Culleton, R Jones (0-2, one free), P Russell (0-1). Subs: E Jackman for J Walsh, M Rooney for D Walsh, C Brophy (1-0) for Doyle, C Clear for Browne.

Yellow card - Laois: J Walsh (47 mins), replaced by E Jackman.

Referee: J McDonald (Tipperary).