Laois hurlers opened their campaign with a defeat to NUIG at Rathdowney yesterday. The home team began well and led 0-4 to 0-1 after eight minutes but slowly the students took a grip of the game and led by 1-7 to 0-9 at half-time.

The second half saw a vastly improved Laois and a goal for Willie Dunphy but the students posted late points from Kevin Downes and Ger O'Donoghue to earn a place against Wexford next weekend.

LAOIS: E Reilly; J Fitzpatrick, B Campion, D Maher; D Palmer, M Whelan (0-1), J Fitzpatrick; C Dunne, P Whelan (0-3); S Maher (0-5), B Reddin, W Hyland (0-1); PJ Scully, W Dunphy (1-3), C Dwyer (0-2). Subs: T Fitzgerald for Dwyer, B Conroy for Reddin.
NUIG: K Flynn; D Magner, E Fahey, E Teagle; G Forde, C Cleary (0-4), G Joyce; JP O'Connell, G O'Donoghue (0-1); N Deasy (0-1), D Reidy (0-2), E O'Farrell (0-1); N O'Brien (0-4), K Downes (1-3), D Higgins. Subs: M Mullins (0-1) for O'Connell.
Referee: David Hughes (Carlow).