The Laois senior hurlers are up and running in the Joe McDonagh Cup following an emphatic victory against Down in O'Moore Park this afternoon.
Willie Maher’s charges scored seven goals, including a hat-trick from Stephen Bergin, as they ran out 31-point winners in the end. After losing to Offaly last week, Laois had to win to keep their interest in reaching the final alive – and they certainly did that.
Laois played against the wind in the first half but that didn’t bother them one bit as they finished it 17 points to the good. Down’s biggest problem was their propensity to concede goals and give away goal chances – with Laois taking four of the seven they were presented with.
And their other problem was their shooting as they hit 12 wides in total in the first half.Laois were 0-5 to 0-1 ahead when their first goal arrived in the tenth minute.Aidan Corby’s shot flew into the air and was fumbled by the Down defence where Stephen Bergin pounced but keeper Stephen Keith denied him. The rebound cames to Willie Dunphy, who would moments later go off injured, and he finished well.
Down replied with points from Liam Savage and Tom Prenter but Laois’s second goal came at the midpoint of the half. Stephen Bergin worked really hard to eventually force the ball to Stephen Maher and he scored from close range.
Laois continued to tag on points and then scored two goals either side of the 30th minute. The first came when Fiachra C-Fennell was allowed to run the pitch before finding Stephen Maher who found sub Tomas Keyes and he finished at the second attempt.
And then the second of these arrived when Paddy Purcell wheeled away from the defence and picked out Stephen Bergin to score. Chris Egan replied but further Laois points left them 4-12 to 0-7 ahead at half time.
And it was certainly game over moments into the second half when Laois scored their fifth goal. A great turnover in defence from Donnchadh Hartnett set Ian Shanahan off on a counter attack and he combined with Paddy Purcell for Stephen Bergin to score.
Paul Sheehan and Chris Egan replied for Down but Laois’ sixth goal arrived in the 47th minute. A puckout straight from Enda Rowlan found Paddy Purcell on the 45 metre line and he raced away before slotting a shot into the bottom corner.
There was time for Stephen Bergin to complete his hat-trick and he almost had a fourth too but keeper Stephen Keith denied him. There would be no more goals but Laois continued to fire over points to win comprehensively.
Laois: Enda Rowland; Donnchadh Hartnett, Liam O'Connell, Ian Shanahan (0-01); Fiachra C Fennell, Ryan Mullaney, Padraig Delaney (0-02); Ross King (0-03), Aidan Corby; Paddy Purcell (1-01), Stephen Maher (1-06 (4f, 1 65)), James Keyes (0-02); Aaron Dunphy (0-02), Willie Dunphy (1-01), Stephen Bergin (3-00).
Subs: Tomas Keyes (1-01) for W Dunphy (13, inj), John Lennon (0-02) for Corby (41), PJ Scully (0-02(1f)) for Maher (45), Gearoid Lynch for A Dunphy (49, inj), Podge Lawlor (0-01) for C-Fennell (62)
Down: Stephen Keith; John McManus, Caolan Teggart, Darragh Mallon; Mark Fisher, Ruairi McCrickard (0-01), Niall McFarland; Matt Conlon, Pearse Óg McCrickard (0-04(2f)); Liam Savage (0-01), Tim Prenter (0-01), Paul Sheehan (0-06(3f)); Chris Egan (0-01), Daithi Sands, Ryan McCusker.
Subs: Tom Murray for Mallon (20), Jordan Doran for Fisher (40), Finn Turpin for Egan (47), Tom McGrattan for Conlon (53)
