Mark Barry's haul crucial as Laois overcome Wexford

Mark Barry was at his brilliant best as the Laois senior footballers recorded a much-needed win over Wexford.

After a disappointing Division 4 campaign, Billy Sheehan's charges needed a result and they got one. O'Dempsey's man Barry kicked 2-04 and was only denied a late hat-trick by the crossbar.

Laois now advance to the Leinster quarter-final to face Dublin in Portlaoise in two weeks' time.

The home side played against the breeze in the first half but started well with points from Barry and Paul Kingston.

Wexford got underway via Ben Brosnan and Robbie Brooks and then grabbed the game's first goal. A short kickout was played to Padraig Kirwan who attempted a hand pass but it was cut out by Paudie Hughes, which resulted in Robbie Brooks fisting the ball into the net.

Laois actually had two great goal chances either side of that. The first came for Evan O'Carroll when he forced Craig McCabe into a save and the second arrived in the 12th minute.

Sean O'Flynn turned over a Wexford kickout and O'Carroll got the ball to Eoin Lowry who, with McCabe out of his goal, could not beat two scrambling defenders with his shot.

Laois did reply with a Paul Kingston free but a fine score by Paudie Hughes left Wexford 1-03 to 0-03 ahead at the midpoint of the half.

Paddy O'Sullivan brought the gap back to two but then Laois were reduced to 14 men on the 20th minute when Mark Timmons was black carded.

Wexford now had the wind and a man advantage - which they used to land two Ben Brosnan frees. But Laois managed the game really well after that as they kept possession and replied with two frees from Kingston.

Timmons returned as O'Carroll left the gap at one as we headed towards injury-time.

Sean Nolan moved Wexford further ahead but then Laois took