Walsh on song for Laois

LAOIS 0-17 LONDON 2-9

GARY WALSH kept Laois on course for promotion as they claimed a narrow win in London.

Walsh was the shining light in a dismal attacking display, scoring 0-11 as his team-mates struggled in front of goal. Laois moved in front for the first time on 27 minutes as Walsh kicked four unanswered points, but they trailed by 1-5 to 0-7 at the interval after Liam Gavaghan scored a fantastic goal from the final play.

Walsh fired Laois back in front after the restart, only for them to concede a second goal on 45 minutes as Killian Butler pounced on the loose ball to hit the net.

Laois replied with four successive points, three coming from Walsh, but the game remained in the balance during a tense final quarter.

Just a point separated the teams as the game entered injury time and although Evan O’Carroll doubled Laois’ lead, they endured some nervy moments as London pushed for a late winner. The victory keeps Laois level on points with leaders Carlow, who they face on March 25.

“In terms of quality, I’d say Laois are a step above every other team in Division 4,” said London manager Ciarán Deely.

SCORERS – Laois: G Walsh 0-11 (8fs, 1’45), E O’Carroll 0-3 (1f), G Dillon, P Kingston, D Kingston 0-1 each.

London: L Gavaghan 1-2, A Moyles 0-3 (2fs), K Butler 1-0, M Gottsche 0-2 (1f), R Elliott, J Moran 0-1 each.

LAOIS– G Brody 7; S Attride 5, S Nerney 6, G Dillon 5; T Collins 6, C Begley 7, F Crowley 6; J O’Loughlin 7, D Kingston 8; D O’Reilly 6, P Kingston 7, B Carroll 6; R Munnelly 5, G Walsh 9, E O’Carroll 7. Subs: E Lowry 6 for Munnelly (49), D Strong 6 for Crowley (49), D Holland 6 for Nerney (55), A Dowling (NR) for D Kingston (64), N Donoher (NR) for Carroll (68).

LONDON – G McEvoy 5; P Butler 8, M Mangan 6, M Walsh 7; D Carrabine 6, Ciaran Dunne 7, P Begley 6; A McDermott 7, J Moran 7; L Gavaghan 8, M Gottsche 8, S McManus 6; R Elliott 7, L Staunton 6, A Moyles 7. Subs: C O’Neill 6 for McManus (h-t), K Butler 7 for Staunton (44), Colin Dunne 6 for Carrabine (51), C Doran (NR) for Begley (66).

REF – N McKenna (Monaghan)