Laois and Clare will renew old acquaintances today

TODAY Clare make the journey to Laois Hire O’Moore Park for a vital game in the National Football League.

Since the original fixture was cancelled owing to the weather, the two counties have had mixed fortunes. Laois went to Newbridge and suffered a heavy defeat, their second of the competition. However, they recovered and travelled to Ballinamore to easily account for last year’s finalists Leitrim. Laois also accounted for the men from Yeats Country at today’s venue.

Clare had another postponement like Laois and they fulfilled that fixture last weekend, making the journey to Yeats County. The Magpies had a bad campaign until Clare arrived and it was the hosts who scooped up the points with a late score. A week previous Clare had caused the biggest upset of the group. In a close contest Clare stayed with Kildare. In injury time they scored a vital goal and that ensures they will be contenders when they visit the O’Moore County today.

Laois 1-12.

Clare 1-11.

IT was February five years ago when Laois made the long journey to Cusack Park in Ennis having suffered defeat to Cavan a week previous and winning was vital if they were to stay in Division 2. Clare had prevailed when the counties clashed in the qualifiers in both 2016 and ‘17.

Laois were wind assisted in the opening half and Crettyard man Evin O’Carroll posted the opening point after three minutes and despite coming under pressure the visitors were never headed although the game was close all through.

O’Carroll increased the Laois lead before Clare opened their account with a well taken point by Gearoid O’Brien. Laois saw Robbie Piggott pick up a head injury and had to be replaced. Ten minutes later he came back to play his part and was very influential.

Clare had a point by Pearse Lillis, a cousin of the Laois version, Kieran. Ross Munnelly and Colm Murphy kicked a brace of points for the visitors. Clare were defending well but 22 minutes into the contest Laois launched a big attack. A well struck shot was saved by Clare keeper, Stephen Ryan. However, the alert Colm Murphy was on hand and he hammered to the net and at this stage Laois were looking comfortable.

David Tubridy and Eoin Cleary narrowed the gap with points but at the other end Eoin Lowry and Ross Munnelly kicked over points as the 25th minute approached.

Clare added a fifth point by Ryan Tubridy from a 45 and at the half time whistle the locals trailed 0-5 to 1-8. This was as good as Laois had played in the league.

Early in the second half Eoin Cleary and Eoin Lowry swapped points. The small band of Laois followers were pleased but as the second half progressed it was the Banner men who were dictating matters all over the ground.

Points flew over courtesy of Eoin Cleary and David Tubridy to narrow the gap to three points and Clare were dominating. Off the ball incidents saw two Laois men pick up yellow cards. Laois were also guilty of missed chances. Sean Byrne struck the crossbar from close range and Evin O’Carroll saw a few good scoring opportunities drift narrowly wide and Clare looked like winners coming down the final stretch.

The old reliable from 2003, Ross Munnelly calmed the nerves when converting a free and added another good point from play.

Clare hit back with a point from Cathal O’Connor and his side trailed by three points with less than ten minutes remaining.

Then the Mayo referee penalised the Laois defender Robbie Pigott and indicated a penalty to the hosts. Up stepped David Tubridy and he drilled high into the roof of the Laois net.

Laois forced a 45 and it was Clonaslee net minder, Niall Corbet who made the journey up field and split the posts.

Clare swarmed all over the Laois defence as they tried to snatch equalising score. The Laois defence stayed cool and at the final whistle Laois had claimed a crucial pair of points.

SCORERS:

Laois : Colm Murphy 1-2, Evin O’Carroll 0-3, Ross Munnelly, Eoin Lowry and Sean Byrne 0-2 each, Niall Corbett 0-1.

Clare: David Tubridy 1-5, Eoin Cleary 0-3, Gearoid O’Brien 0-1, Pearse Lillis and Cathal O’Connor 0-1 each.

LAOIS: Niall Corbett; Gearoid Hanrahan, Mark Timmons, Cahir Healy; Trevor Collins, Robbie Pigott, Paddy O’Sullivan; Kieran Lillis, John O’Loughlin; Damien O’Connor, Eoin Lowry, Sean Byrne; Evin O’Carroll, Colm Murphy, Ross Munnelly.

Subs: Brian Byrne for C Healy (inj), Michael Keogh for O’Connor, (50m), Benny Carroll for S Byrne (52m), Mark Barry for C Murphy (65m) CLARE: Stephen Ryan; Kevin Hartnett, Cillian Brennan, Gordon Kelly; Sean Collins, Pearse Lillis, Alan Sweeney; Dale Masterson, Cathal O’Connor; Cian O’Dea, Keelan Sexton, Dermot Coughlan; Eoin Cleary, David Tubridy, Gearoid O’Brien.

Subs: Eamon Tubridy for S Ryan (inj), Cormac Murray for G O’Brien (ht), Emma McMahon for D Masterson (ht), Joe McGann for K Sexton (55m), Eoghan Collins for K Hartnett (62m).

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo)