Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Laois hang on in epic play-off tie
LAOIS needed extra-time to secure Division 1B status, following an epic play-off against Kerry in Portlaoise.
Eamonn Kelly’s side led by three points deep into second half injury-time after an Enda Rowland score, but a late Mikey
Boyle goal forced overtime.
The hosts battled in extra-time to shake off a determined Kerry side, who ultimately left O’Moore
Park heartbroken and consigned to Division 2A.
Kerry’s Patrick Kelly fired the first of his four points from play inside a minute, but this was the only time Kerry led. Scores from
Liam O’Connell and Leigh Bergin saw Laois take over, although reduced to 14 men after Neil Foyle was dismissed in the second minute on a straight red.
They moved 0-7 to 0-4 ahead, but Kerry found the net for the first time through Jordan Conway at the end of the first quarter.
Cha Dwyer hit Laois’s only goal in the 24th minute in an unanswered 1-4 to lead by 1-12 to 1-5.
Following a mix up in the Laois defence, Kelly cut through for a goal, but Maher claimed the final score of the half, as Laois led 1-15 to 2-6 at half-time.
Laois pushed nine points clear but Kerry never gave up, with just two points between the sides when Padraig Boyle netted with six minutes left.
Laois looked good in the fourth minute of injury time as Rowland put them three points clear, before Boyle’s strike forced extra-time.
Laois outscored Kerry by five points to one in the first period of extra time, with Ross King firing 0-4 and they just about held on.