Sport

Laois still top of pile

Laois maintained their top-of-the-table position with a hard-earned victory over recently-crowned All-Ireland B champions Louth…

Mon Feb 16 1998 - 00:00

Laois maintained their top-of-the-table position with a hard-earned victory over recently-crowned All-Ireland B champions Louth at O'Moore Park yesterday. The home side got off to a dream start when a ball broke in the square after 30 seconds - Martin Delaney pulled first time on the ground and gave the Louth goalkeeper no chance. Michael Lawlor and Jack Murphy added a brace of points before Alan Doherty and Pat Butterly replied for the visitors.

Michael Lawlor kicked two further Laois points without reply before Martin Farrelly hit Louth's fourth. In the closing minutes of the half, Laois got two vital scores, one point each from corner forwards Martin Delaney and Jack Murphy. At the interval, they led 1-6 to 0-4.

Alan Doherty reduced the deficit for Louth with an excellent point, two minutes into the new half. Jack Murphy replied for Laois before Louth captain, Gareth O'Neill had an excellent point from play.

Two points from Martin Delaney and Hugh Emerson and a point for Ken Reilly put Laois ahead, 1-9 to 07, with 15 minutes remaining. Louth then produced an excellent move and after the Laois keeper made a brilliant save, Alan Doherty followed up to crash the ball to the net. The same player added a point from a free. With eight minutes remaining, a point separated the sides.

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Laois hit back with two points from Michael Lawlor and Jack Murphy. Louth redoubled their efforts, Oliver McDonald sending over a great point from play and Gareth O'Reilly scoring their final point. It wasn't enough, however.

Laois: F Byron; B Kirwan, E Delaney, J O'Reilly; D Conroy, J Bolton, D Lalor; D Rooney, A Phelan; T Maher, M Lawlor (0-4), I Fitzgerald; J Murphy (0- 4), H Emerson (0-1), M Delaney (1-2). Subs: M Rooney for A Phelan; C Parkinson for D Conroy.

Louth: N O'Donnell; B McPhillips, C Nash, D Brennan; G Fagan, G O'Neill (0-2), A Hoey; J Reilly (0-1), S Melia; O McDonnell (0-1), J Donaldson, M Farrelly; A Doherty, P Kelly, P Butterly. Subs: S White for P Butterly; C Kelly for Donaldson; G Curran for B McPhillips.

Referee: Michael McBrien (Fermanagh).