NO MORE WOE ZONE IN LAOIS

3-14

0-9 BY

JUSTIN MCNULTY praised Laois for getting out of their ‘comfort zone’ and overcoming two big setbacks to claim the NFL Division 4 title.

Ben Dempsey’s firsthalf goal and two more after the break from Eoin Lowry and Paul Kingston eased Laois to victory.

Captain Evan O’carroll was terrific at full-forward and tormented Leitrim, scoring six points and setting up the first two goals.

It was a winning return to Croke Park after conceding 8-16 to Down in last season’s Tailteann Cup semi-final.

And it was revenge of sorts following a surprise group stage defeat to Leitrim just weeks ago.

Laois manager

Mcnulty said a change of attitude after that setback was key.

Mcnulty said: “I think there was a bit of that alright. Five wins in the League beforehand breeds a little bit of comfort and fellas maybe were in a comfort zone. That defeat was a huge learning opportunity for

PAUL KEANE

us. Thankfully the lads stuck together, didn’t point fingers and turned it around.

“It was a big turnaround for the team in terms of their previous game at Croke Park as well. The last time we were here we conceded eight goals. It was a tough day for them.”

Laois were 1-7 to 0-6 up at half-time but Leitrim, chasing a first ever Croke Park win, reduced the deficit to just two points following a mini-revival in the third quarter.

Leitrim were having to battle so hard for each of their scores though, while Laois carved out chances with relative ease and would have turned the screw earlier but for a dozen wides.

Leitrim have little time for recovery as they face Sligo in a Connacht quarter-final next Sunday. SCORERS Laois: B Dempsey (1-0), K Lillis (0-1, 1m), E Lowry (1-2), M Barry (0-2), E O’carroll (0-6, 2f), P Kingston (1-2). R Murphy (0-1).

Leitrim: N O’donnell (0-3, 1f, 1 45), B Mcnulty (0-1), M Plunkett (0-1), Ryan O’rourke (0-2), Riordan O’rourke (0-2).