Sport

Slick Sheehan sinks Laois

Laois 0-12 Kerry 0-16: BRYAN SHEEHAN'S unerring accuracy from placed balls helped Kerry to a deserved victory over struggling…

Mon Mar 31 2008 - 01:00

Laois 0-12 Kerry 0-16:BRYAN SHEEHAN'S unerring accuracy from placed balls helped Kerry to a deserved victory over struggling Laois at Portlaoise. Laois had a late opportunity from the penalty spot to ensure a gripping finale but Michael Tierney's spot-kick was saved by the Kerry keeper, Kieran Cremin.

Sheehan contributed seven frees and a sideline ball in a personal tally of 10 points as he punished Laois for every indiscretion.

Laois began well and led 0-4 to 0-2 thanks to early scores from Tierney (three) and Paul Lawlor in reply to efforts from Sheehan and Anthony Maher.

But Kerry hit back and shot five unanswered points, one from Tommie Walsh and four from Sheehan, all from placed balls, to make it 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval.

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Laois opened well on the resumption with points from Billy Sheehan and Colm Parkinson to narrow the gap to a single point.

The in-form Sheehan added a couple of points for the visitors and though Tierney punished two more frees conceded by their defence, Kerry upped the tempo.

They dominated the next 10 minutes scoring five unanswered points, two from Darren O'Sullivan, two from Sheehan and an excellent effort from full forward Tom O'Sullivan to lead by six with 10 minutes remaining.

Points from Pádraig McMahon following a fine solo run and substitute Parkinson kept Laois in touch and when Paul Lawlor was hauled down the referee awarded a late penalty to the home side.

But Cremin's save ensured Kerry were deserving winners and their victory puts them back in the hunt for another title.

KERRY: K Cremin; M Ó Sé, T O'Sullivan, P Reidy; Tomás Ó Sé, A O'Mahoney, Tommy Griffin; Darragh Ó Sé, Scanlon; D Walsh (0-1), E Brosnan, A Maher (0-1); D O'Sullivan (0-2), T Walsh (0-2), B Sheehan (0-10, seven frees, one sideline); Subs: D Bohane for A Maher (50 mins), R Ó Flatharta for P Reidy (60 mins).

LAOIS. M Nolan; C Healy, D Rooney, C Ryan; P O'Leary, John O'Loughlin, P McMahon (0-1); P Clancy, K Meaney; B Brennan, P Lawlor (0-1), B Sheehan (0-2); M Tierney (0-5, three frees), B Quigley, C Kelly (0-1); Subs: C Parkinson (0-2) for B Brennan, D Murphy for C Kelly, R Munnelly for K Meaney;

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).