When Niall Rigney inspired Laois to comfortable victory in Dr Cullen Park

IN the good old days of Dr Cullen Park Laois and Carlow produced several battles in the League, Oireachtas, Walsh Cup and Championship.

1982 saw the visitors score 1-15 in victory. They returned across the Barrow in the Spring of 1993 and racked up the very same score.

Carlow had celebrated being crowned All-Ireland Senior B Champions beating the Exiles at Ruislip in the final by two points in a great match. Back home on home soil it was a different matter.

Laois were forced into many changes including team captain Andy Dunne, he being the first Clonad captain since 1971. Noel Delaney of the Harps opened the visitors account with a good point from play.

Laois won the puck out and a good passing move saw Greg Norton place Owen Coss for a well taken goal. Noel Rowe and Niall Rigney posted points. Carlow opened their account with a point from Brian Murphy, Good play by Mark Mullins now playing his club hurling by the Lee, he picked out John Byrne who beat the Laois keeper from close range.

It was now game on John McDonald and Mark Mullins added good Carlow points from play and the margin was two points midway through the half. Joe Dollard set up Niall Rigney for a good point and at half time Laois led 1-6 to 1-3. Niall Rigney added three early points on the resumption but five minutes into the half Carlow produced a moment of magic, St Mullins played David Doyle blasted a second Carlow goal after good attack by Johnny Nevin.

The scene was set for a welter of a finish, Laois made a few switches and they added three good points by Niall Rigney and Darren Rooney, at the other end points flew over from John McDonald another St Mullins man and Mark Mullins.

Laois were worried on the line and introduced Borris-in-Ossory man Mick O’Hara for Greg Norton, the sub sent over a good point and others followed from Declan Conroy and Niall Rigney.

Laois had done enough to reach the league knock out stages, Wexford were their opponents in Nowlan Park and they were too slick, later in the season the same two met in Dr Cullen Park in the championship, this time Mick O’Hara was playing very well but was then sent to the line midway through the second half and Wexford pulled away to reach another Provincial decider.

LAOIS: John Hanniffy (Portlaoise); Cyril Duggan (Portlaoise), Bill Maher (Rathdowney), Niall Browne (Rathdowney); Seamus Dooley (Rosenallis), Joe Dollard (Camross), John Taylor (Portlaoise); Niall Rigney (0-9 Portlaoise), Declan Rooney (0-1 Clonaslee); Declan Conroy (0-1 Rosenallis), Noel Delaney (0-1 The Harps), Greg Norton (Clonad); Owen Coss (1-0 Kilcotton), Tony Dunne (The Harps), Noel Rowe (0-2 Clonad):

Sub: Mick O’Hara (Borris-in-Ossory 0-1) for Greg Norton.

CARLOW: Richie Kielty (St Mullins); Christy Kealy (MLR), Tom English (Erins Own), Martin Farrell (Ballinkillen); Johnny Nevin (Parnells), Sean Foley (Naomh Eoin), John Carey (Parnells); Mark Mullins (0-2 Na Piarsaig Cork), Pat Lawler (MLR); Brian Murphy (Naomh Eoin), Niall Bambrick (Parnells), John McDonald (0-2 St Mullins); David Doyle (0-2 St Mullins), Des Murphy (0-1 Naomh Eoin), John Byrne (1-0 Naomh Eoin).

Sub: Declan Byrne (Naomh Eoin) for S Foley Referee: Pat Moore (Waterford)