Free-scoring Waterford put Laois to the sword

Waterford strolled past Laois with 33 points to spare as they hit seven goals in a stunning attacking display to blow away their opponents at Walsh Park.

Stephen Bennett had a hat-trick, while there was also goals for Ciaran Kirwan, Patrick Curran, Cathrach Daly and Austin Gleeson in a serious show of stature from the Deise men.

Waterford opened the scoring when the returning Tadhg De Burca picked out Ciaran Kirwan and they doubled their lead courtesy of a dead ball from Stephen Bennett. Laois got on the scoresheet courtesy of Willie Dunphy, before the paint of the crossbar denied the Deise the day's opening goal - a rasping drive from Austin Gleeson.

Bennett and Kirwan were on song once again as Liam Cahill’s side didn’t have to wait long to gather the first of their five first-half goals, Cathrach Daly batting past the onrushing Enda Rowland after a great interception by Jack Prendergast.

Stephen Bergin responded for Cheddar Plunkett’s men but it was looking like a tough afternoon when the home side tacked on further scores from Bennett and Gleeson.

Credit to Laois, they stuck at their work and bore fruit from their labour - hitting six unanswered scores to bring it back to a two-point game across a spell of twelve minutes.

Waterford were denied their second goal when Rowland saved well from Kirwan - and points from Stephen Maher (3), Ross King, Enda Rowland and Ryan Mullaney had the midland men right back in the contest - but not for long.

The Deise fans were left shocked when Billy Power fired into the side netting with a great chance of a goal, but it was to matter very little as they fired four home in four minutes to the joy of a vocal Walsh Park crowd.

Jack Prendergast and a brace from Patrick Curran restored a five