Lowry shines as Laois beat Déise and return to summit

Laois returned to the top of Division 4 of the Allianz Football League following an 11-point victory over Waterford in O'Moore Park.

Eoin Lowry was the star of the show as the Killeshin man kicked 2-06 of Laois's total, with the visitors only managing two points in the second half.

Waterford set up with two sweepers in the first half and left just Sean Whelan-Barrett up front in an attempt to frustrate Laois.

It resulted in Waterford having long periods of possession but being able to do very little with it for the first 26 minutes - a Dermot Ryan score after 22 minutes being their only point in that period.

That wasn't to say that Laois were dominating either - but after a slow start they did get going. Eoin Lowry and Mark Barry pointed in the first seven minutes, with Evan O'Carroll instrumental in both.

That would continue as the latter had the ball in the net after 11 minutes following a great run and pass from Sean O'Flynn but he was adjudged to have been in the square.

Eoin Lowry made it three points to no score after 19 minutes and would take his tally to 1-04 by the 25th minute.

His goal was set up by Evan O'Carroll after a long ball from Damon Larkin and O'Carroll then assisted Lowry for two more points.

It was all going swimmingly for Laois but then it derailed slightly before half time. From nowhere, Darragh Corcoran ran through the Laois defence and was brought down in the area by Mark Timmons. Jason Curry beat Scott Osborne from the spot and Waterford were back in the game.

Laois did reply with a free from Mark Barry but late Waterford points from Jason Curry and Dermot Ryan left it 1-06 to 1-03 at half-time.

Laois put that bad end behind them though as 24 seconds into the second half, they scored their second goal.