Late Laois goal sinks wasteful Limerick

A late Colm Murphy goal was the difference as Laois booked their place in the semi-finals of the Tailteann Cup thanks to a 1-14 to 0-14 win over Limerick at a rain-drenched TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening.

Both sides were level three times in the opening half before a late James Naughton free gave Limerick a one-point lead at the break, 0-10 to 0-09.

It was, however, Laois who secured the win to put Billy Sheehan's charges into the last four of the competition after outscoring the Treaty men 1-05 to just 0-04 in the second half.

Mark Fitzgerald's side were 0-14 to 0-09 ahead with 24 minutes to go but failed to score again as thunder and lighting dominated the Ennis Road backdrop. They will look back at missing at least five clear goal chances with regret as Laois now march on to Croke Park and the Tailteann Cup semi-final.

Limerick came into the game on the back of wins over Longford and Carlow that solidified top spot in group three. However, with a home quarter-final already in the bag, Limerick lost out to Wicklow in Portlaoise last time out.

Mark Fitzgerald made six changes to the starting 15 against Wicklow with Darragh Murray, who captained Limerick minors last year as they reached the Munster final for the first time since 1998, making his first Championship start.

Laois, who came through group one without a win, required two late scores against London to avoid a Championship exit before securing a two-point win over Fermanagh in their preliminary quarter-final in Enniskillen last week.

Limerick, boosted by home advantage, got off to a flying start and were 0-3 to 0-0 ahead inside just four minutes thanks to early scores from Cathal Downes, Barry Coleman, and James Naughton (mark).

Laois responded well however and