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Lowry shines as Laois beat Déise and return to summit

Eoin Lowry starred for Laois (file pic)
Eoin Lowry starred for Laois (file pic)

Laois returned to the top of Division 4 of the Allianz Football League following an 11-point victory over Waterford in O'Moore Park.

Eoin Lowry was the star of the show as the Killeshin man kicked 2-06 of Laois's total, with the visitors only managing two points in the second half.

Waterford set up with two sweepers in the first half and left just Sean Whelan-Barrett up front in an attempt to frustrate Laois.

It resulted in Waterford having long periods of possession but being able to do very little with it for the first 26 minutes - a Dermot Ryan score after 22 minutes being their only point in that period.

That wasn't to say that Laois were dominating either - but after a slow start they did get going. Eoin Lowry and Mark Barry pointed in the first seven minutes, with Evan O'Carroll instrumental in both.

That would continue as the latter had the ball in the net after 11 minutes following a great run and pass from Sean O'Flynn but he was adjudged to have been in the square.

Eoin Lowry made it three points to no score after 19 minutes and would take his tally to 1-04 by the 25th minute.

His goal was set up by Evan O'Carroll after a long ball from Damon Larkin and O'Carroll then assisted Lowry for two more points.

It was all going swimmingly for Laois but then it derailed slightly before half time. From nowhere, Darragh Corcoran ran through the Laois defence and was brought down in the area by Mark Timmons. Jason Curry beat Scott Osborne from the spot and Waterford were back in the game.

Laois did reply with a free from Mark Barry but late Waterford points from Jason Curry and Dermot Ryan left it 1-06 to 1-03 at half-time.

Laois put that bad end behind them though as 24 seconds into the second half, they scored their second goal. Kieran Lillis' long ball found Eoin Lowry and he beat keeper Ben Kirwan from close range.

Mark Barry then hit a free and one from play to move Laois eight points clear by the 38th minute. Laois almost had another goal in the 43rd minute but Mark Timmons' effort was brilliantly saved by Ben Kirwan.

Eoin Lowry then took his tally 2-05 before Laois had another goal chance where Paddy O'Sullivan was denied by Kirwan.

Both sides were then guilty of kicking wides as we entered the last ten minutes with Laois leading by nine. And Laois got back on the scoring train with Mark Barry, Paul Kingston and Lowry pointing before the end.

Waterford did get the last two scores via Jason Curry and Dermot Ryan in injury time but they were well beaten.

Laois: Scott Osborne; Sean Greene, Trevor Collins, Robbie Pigott; Sean O'Flynn, Mark Timmons, Brian Byrne; Kieran Lillis, Damon Larkin; Kevin Swayne, Paul Kingston (0-02, 1f), Paddy O'Sullivan; Eoin Lowry (2-06, 0-02m), Evan O'Carroll, Mark Barry (0-05, 0-03f).

Subs: Ciaran Burke for Swayne (55), Darragh Carolan for Barry and Cathal Doyle for O'Carroll (both 61), Seamus Lacey for Timmons (64), Sean O'Neill for Greene (69)

Waterford: Ben Kirwan; Ross Browne, Darach O'Cathasaigh, Conor O'Cuirrin; Dermot Ryan (0-03), Liam Fennell, Brian Looby; Jason Curry (1-02 1-00p), Michael Curry; Jordan O'Sullivan, Darragh Corcoran, Brian Lynch; Michael Kiely, Sean Whelan-Barrett, Eoghan McGrath-Butler

Subs: Recce Stringer for Looby (18, blood, reversed 23, blood again 41, reversed 48), Reece Stringer for Browne (48), Niall McSweeney for Lynch (54), John Devine for Whelan-Barrett (59), Damien Quirke for Looby (61), Jack Keane for McGrath-Butler (63)Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway)

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