Sport

Laois gain deserved late equaliser

Clare's prospects of survival in Division 1B look bleak after Laois grabbed a last-minute equaliser to earn a deserved draw at…

Mon Feb 26 2001 - 00:00

Clare's prospects of survival in Division 1B look bleak after Laois grabbed a last-minute equaliser to earn a deserved draw at Cusack Park yesterday.

Clare manager Pat Begley had billed the match as "make or break" in his side's efforts to avoid the drop and with seconds remaining it looked like Clare might grab their second win of the campaign.

But Laois substitute Padraig Langton scored the all-important point from 20 yards with almost the last kick of the game after a great run from Laois full back and captain Joe Higgins.

The visitors had played the better football, though were guilty of a number of glaring misses. Aided by a strong wind in the first half and led by impressive centre forward Michael Lawlor who scored three fine points from play, they led 0-6 to 1-1 at half-time.

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Clare had grabbed the only goal of the game in the third minute through corner forward Denis Molohan, who broke through the Laois defence after a good passing movement. But highlighting the poor conversion rate of chances in the game - Clare had 14 wides in all - the home county could score only one other point in the half, a Martin Daly free.

Laois had a great chance to extend their lead in the first few moments of the second half when corner forward Chris Conway shot inches wide from six yards out with only goalkeeper James Hanrahan to beat The first score of the second half did not come until the 47th minute through Clare half-forward Denis O'Driscoll from 35 yards.

O'Driscoll added another in the 49th minute to regain the lead for Clare. Denis Russell from a free and Martin Daly completed Clare's tally, before the late Laois rally secured the draw.

CLARE: J Hanrahan; E McGuane, P Gallagher, C Whelan; P Smyth, N Hawes, B Keating; J Considine, D Russell (0-2, frees); G Keane, D Russell, D O'Driscoll (0-2); D Molohan (1-0), P Hehir, M Daly (0-2). Subs: M O'Connell for Keating (57 mins); J Young for Daly (67 mins).

LAOIS: F Bryan; E Delaney, J Higgins, A Fennelly; P McDonald, P Conway, JP Kehoe; J Kealy, N Garvan; I Fitzgerald (0-3, two frees), M Lawlor (0-3), T Kelly (0-1); S Kelly, P Dunne (0-1), C Conway. Subs: P Leonard for McDonald (half-time); P Langton (0-1) for Dunne (half-time).

Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).