Munnelly has the final say

Laois 0-12 Limerick 2-5: Last year's first-round clash at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick was won comfortably by Limerick, but yesterday at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer had more reason to be happy.

First to suffer under the new yellow-card rule was Limerick midfielder Jim Donovan who was sent to the line and replaced after 15 minutes. He was followed two minutes later by Laois corner forward Mark Dunne.

Limerick hit some bad wides early on and with limited possession Laois, with points by Pádraig McMahon, Gary Kavanagh and Kieran Kelly, led 0-3 to no score.

Ger Ahern opened Limerick's account after 24 minutes and two points from Michael Reidy had the sides level. Then a good Limerick move was finished to the net by Ahern. Laois replied with points from Ross Munnelly to leave the half-time score Limerick 1-4, Laois 0-4.

On the changeover Laois introduced Darren Rooney to defence and this paid dividends as points from Munnelly, Paul Lawlor and Kavanagh had the sides level. Points from Kavanagh and Lawlor (two) put the visitors in control, but in the last minute of normal time Michael Reidy's goal for Limerick levelled the game.

In injury-time Laois produced one last charge which saw a Limerick defender sidelined and Munnelly slotted the winning free.

LAOIS: F Byron; N Donoher, C Begley, T McDonald; K Kelly (0-1), P McDonald, P McMahon (0-1); P Clancy, N Garvan; R Munnelly (0-3, one free), B Sheehan, C Bergin; G Kavanagh (0-4, two frees), S Kelly, M Dunne. Subs: P Lawlor (0-3) for M Dunne (17 mins), D Rooney for N Donoher (half-time), D Brennan for C Bergin (44 mins).

LIMERICK: S Kiely; M O'Riordan, D Sheehy, D Reidy; P Browne, S Lavin (0-1), C Mullane; J Quane, J Donovan; S Buckley, J Murphy (0-1), M O'Brien; G Ahern (1-1), P Fitzgerald, M Reidy (1-2). Subs: M Gavin for J Donovan (15 mins), J O'Connell for Gavin (50 mins), J McCarthy for P Fitzgerald (68 mins), A Lane for S Lavin (66 mins).

YELLOW CARDS: Limerick: J Donovan (15 mins) replaced by M Gavin; S Lavin (66 mins) replaced by A Lane; C Mullane not replaced. Laois: M Dunne (17 mins) replaced by P Lawlor.

Referee: B Crowe (Cavan).