Gaelic Games

Laois woes continue as Clare emerge the victors

Davy Fitzgerald’s side were never out under any real pressure during the 70 minutes

Davy Fitzgerald’s Clare side ran out easy winners in their Allianz League Division 1B encounter with Laois. Photo: Inpho
Sun Mar 06 2016 - 13:45

Laois 0-16 Clare 1-21

Laois hurlers remain rooted to the foot of the Division 1B table after their third defeat in as many outings.

On Saturday night unbeaten Clare were the visitors and after they raced into an early three point lead they never looked in any real danger.

Laois were dealt a blow when full back Darren Maher was forced off before the throw-in with a foot injury which meant moving Cahir Healy to full back to curb the threat of Shane O’Donnell and, although this worked, it was elsewhere the problems occurred for the hosts.

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David Reidy, Bobby Duggan and right half forward were causing lots of problems for Laois. Willie Hyland opened the home team’s account from play but the Clare defence were in total control.

Further points followed from Bobby Duggan from placed balls but Laois kept in touch with points by Willie Hyland and full forward Zane Keenan.

As half time approached Laois were defending stoutly but a poor defensive error saw John Conlon get inside to hammer home the game’s only goal, leaving Clare in front 1-13 to 0-9.

Laois began the second half in determined fashion but yielded three fruitless sixty fives.

Goalkeeper Enda Rowland opened the scoring from a long range free and Zane Keenan found the target after forty eight minutes. Barry Duggan picked up where he left off picking two quick points from placed balls but the Laois defence did well to contain the visitors from play.

Cha Dwyer returning after suspension was well contained for most of the game but he did pick off a late brace of points but by then Clare had secured the points without ever raising their game to the maximum.

Laois journey to the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Saturday next while Davy Fitzgerald’s charges welcome surprise packets Kerry to Ennis .

LAOIS: E Rowland (0-1); J Phelan, C Healy T Delaney; L Bergin (0-1), N Foyle, R Mullaney; M Whelan, C Collier; C Dwyer (0-2), W Hyland (0-3), P Purcell; S Maher (0-1), Z Keenan (0-5), R King. Subs: PJ Scully (0-3) for R King 22m, J Walsh for L Bergin 60m, W Dunphy for S Maher 58m, C Stapleton for N Foyle 60m.

CLARE: A Fahy; P O'Connor, C Dillon, P Flanagan; B Bugler, D McInerney, C Cleary; D Reidy (0-3), Conor Ryan (0-2); J Conlon (1-2), Colin Ryan (0-4); B Duggan (0-6); A Cunningham (0-2), S O'Donnell, G O'Connell (0-1). Subs: O O'Brien for C Dillon 51m, C Galvin for C Cleary h/t, C O'Donnell for G O'Connell 57m, Conor O'Donnell for S O'Donnell 65m, M O'Malley for D Reidy 70m.

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork).