Laois's weekend gets better after hurlers' success

Laois were full value for their Allianz Hurling League Division 2A final victory at Netwatch Cullen Park as they ran out easy winners courtesy of an excellent second-half performance against Carlow.

Having won the Allianz Football Division League 4 title the day before, they were completing a superb hurling and football league double for the county.

They arrived in Carlow with only one thing on their minds - victory and in the process overturning the loss to their neighbours in the group stages.

The O'Moore hurlers eventually completed their mission and did so with a bit to spare.

Travelling to Carlow, it made no difference to the eventual winners here as, having played against the wind in the first half, they easily absorbed everything their rivals threw at them.

Four of the Laois starting forwards scored from play in the opening half, with Aaron Dunphy converting two frees.

Keeper Enda Rowland knocked over a long-range free but his two saves from Paddy Boland ensured Carlow didn’t build up any momentum.

Chris Nolan was Carlow’s most dangerous looking player but he was well marshalled by the Laois defence. He still landed two points from play while Marty Kavanagh converted three frees for the home side but they trailed 0-09 to 0-08 at the interval.

Carlow got off to a great start in the second half when Nolan levelled.

They seemed to be moving into gear when Kavanagh ran at the Laois defence and batted past the advancing Rowland.

Almost immediately, celebration for the home side was turned on its head when Thomas Keyes found the net for a Laois goal from a narrow angle on the left.

They could have added their second goal almost immediately but Brian Tracey spread himself well and saved.

It was ominous at that stage for the Joe