Gaelic Games

Leinster U-21 FC: Impressive Laois too strong for Wexford

Three second half goals clinch ten-point victory

Evan O’Carroll: scored the final goal for Laois at Enniscorthy. Photograph: Inpho.
Wed Feb 25 2015 - 22:41

Laois 4-12, Wexford 1-11: Three second-half goals inspired Laois to a hugely impressive ten-point victory over Wexford at Enniscorthy.

Wexford had an impressive start moving into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead inside the opening 11 minutes through points from Pádraig Conway, Paudie Barden and John Tubritt (two), before Laois opened the account after 13 minutes through an Alan Farrell point.

Laois struck against the run of play after 16 minutes when Tom Shiels punched a Paul Kingston high cross to the net, leaving it 0-5 to 1-1. The sides continued to trade points eventually going in level 0-9 to 1-6 at the interval.

Laois resumed in impressive fashion with three quick points from Paul Kingston (2) and Tom Shiels, a free, but Wexford struck back with points from Jamie Carty, free, and John Tubritt, while Pádraig Conway got a goal after 39 minutes to put the home side 1-11 to 1-9 in front.

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But Laois took control of midfield through the fine play of Alan Farrell and Shiels’ second goal put the visitors 2-11 to 1-11 in front.

Laois stormed through for further late goals from Evan Keane and Evan O’Carroll to run out eventually comfortable winners.

WEXFORD: L Rafter; R Vaillejo, J Rossiter, P Curtis (0-1); N Rossiter, D Barden, G Staples; S Byrne (0-1), J White (0-1); E Nolan, J Tubritt (0-4, two frees), S Donohe; P Barden (0-1), J Carty (0-2 frees), P Conway (1-1). Subs: N Hughes for Staples (41); E O’Byrne for Byrne (49), E Roche for Nolan (58), J Connors for Vaillego (60). LAOIS: A O’Reilly; L Knowles, K Lennon, C Dunne; P O’Sullivan, C Hogan, R Dowling; D Cullen, A Farrell (0-1); P Kingston (0-4, two frees), J Moore (0-3), N Murphy; E Keane (1-0), E O’Carroll (1-1), T Shiels (2-2, two frees). Subs: N Mullen (0-1) for Cullen (20); A Campion for Dowling (ht); D O’Reilly for Murphy (50); C Maher for Moore (54). Referee: K Kelly (Carlow).