Laois 1-22 Derry 5-10
Laois lost midfielder Kieran Lillis through injury early on, but worked hard to hold on for a 1-22 to 5-10 draw with Derry in the Allianz FL Division 2 tie in Portlaoise.
Kieran, son of O'Moore boss Mick, made a premature exit after suffering an apparent leg fracture in the sixth minute.
Laois started the game well, with Paul Kingston, younger brother of star forward Donie, finding the net in the opening 20 seconds before the side traded points.
Play was stopped shortly afterwards for an eight-minute break to deal with Lillis's injury.
His replacement Evan O'Carroll put in an impressive shift for the hosts and brought them firmly back into this game.
Laois moved 1-04 to 0-03 in front before a Danny Heavron goal cut the gap to the minimum after 26 minutes.
However, Laois pushed four points clear approaching the break.
Derry's trip to Portlaoise had made them goal-hungry and a Shane Heavron penalty goal, after a black card for Robbie Kehoe, ensured a 1-10 to 2-06 interval score-line.
The Oak Leafers completed their hat-trick five minutes after the restart, when a Christopher Bradley goal tied the game on a 3-06 to 1-12 score-line
Laois pushed four points clear with 12 minutes remaining, before Bradley netted goal number four.
A Donie Kingston pointed free coupled with a further point handed Laois a 1-21 to 4-09 lead in the 68th minute.
However, substitute Mark Lynch got Derry’s fifth goal before Laois once more moved ahead.
James Kielt tied the game, and although Laois had a late chance to snatch a match winner, Evan O’Carroll’s 55 metre kick drifted to the left of the posts to ensure a share of the spoils.
Laois: G Brody; R Kehoe, M Timmons, C Begley; D Strong (0-02), P Cotter, G Dillon; K Lillis, B Quigley (0-01); J O’Loughlin (0-04), D Kingston (0-02, 1f), N Donoher (0-02); P Kingston (1-00), C Meredith (0-02), P Cahillane (0-02, 2f).
Subs: E O’Carroll (0-06, 3f) for K Lillis (16); S Attride for R Kehoe (BC) (40); G Walsh (0-01) for P Kingston (HT); A Farrell for P Cotter (61); K Meaney for M Timmons (70).
Derry: T Mallon; O Duff (0-01), C McKaigue, K McKaigue; G McKinless, B Rogers, D Heavron (2-00); N Holly, E Bradley (0-01); R Bell (0-03, 3f), C Bradley (2-01), B Heron; S Heavron (1-02, 1-00 pen), E McGuickin, SL McGoldrick.
Subs: C McAtamney for N Holly (28); M Lynch for E Bradley (HT); C O’Boyle (0-01) for E McGuickin (41); J Kielt (0-01) for R Bell (48); C Murphy for B Herron (57); D McKinless for S Heavron (63).
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow)
