Lowry to the fore as Laois return to winning ways in Division 4

Laois have cemented their place at the top of the Division 4 table after a one-sided victory over bottom of the table Waterford in Laois Hire O'Moore Park this evening.

Eoin Lowry was in inspired form for the home side as the win ensures Laois recovered in the best way possible from their defeat to the hands of Wicklow last weekend.

Laois 2-13

Waterford 1-5

Laois got the game's first score as a super move from Evan O'Carroll teed up Evan Lowry to raise the game's first white flag. O'Carroll was at the fore front of all things Laois related as he was fouled for Laois' next score with O'Dempsey's man Mark Barry tapping it over the bar.

Waterford were very defensive in their shape as they held all of their starting players inside their own 65' yard line. They struggled to muster up any scoring chances. Their first chance didn't arrive until the 11th minute as Waterford dropped a free short.

Laois thought they had a goal on the board as a super ball from Paddy O'Sullivan found Lowry, who squared the ball to O'Carroll to palm into the net. The referee ruled out the Laois goal for a square ball.

Debutant Damon Larkin assisted Laois' next score as his outside of the boot effort allowed Lowry to take an advanced mark, which Lowry made no mistake in kicking over. The Déise finally got their first score after 21 minutes as half-back Dermot Ryan scored from play.

Larkin played another superb pass which found O'Carroll, who in turn found Lowry, who made no mistake getting his goal for the home side. Lowry was playing out of his skin as took his tally to 1-2 early on. Barry almost got Laois' second goal as his soccer-style effort hit the outside of the post.

Kevin Swayne, fresh from winning an All-Ireland Freshers' crown with SETU Carlow, set up Lowry yet again as kicked off his left-boot over the bar. Waterford with a rare attack up-field managed to get themselves a chance from the spot as Mark Timmons fouled in the square. Darragh Corcoran with mazy run before being fouled, Jason Curry slotting away the penalty.

Barry and Curry traded scores before Ryan got his second score of the game with a well-struck effort from the 45 yard line. That would be the last score of the half as Laois led 1-6 to 1-3 at the break.

Laois started the second-half in the best possible manner a Kieran Lillis spotted Lowry in the full-forward line, the Portlaoise man with a splendid pass as Lowry got his second goal of the game. Barry would add two further scores to his name as he took his tally to four points for the contest.

Larkin was almost rewarded for his excellent performance, only to see his effort hit the crossbar. Scott Osborne was called into action as he intercepted a Waterford pass that could have easily resulted in a goal. Waterford weren't making the most of the opportunities that they got as they kicked an effort short into Osborne's arms.

Lowry was Laois' main scoring threat as the Killeshin man took his tally to 2-5. Paddy O'Sullivan almost got in for goal with Waterford's Ben Kirwan on hand to deny the Portarlington man. The second-half wasn't full of action as Lowry increased Laois' lead. Kingston getting his first point from a free after 68 minutes as Laois led 2-12 to 1-3.

Waterford got their first score of the second-half in the 71st minute with Michael Curry pointing before Ryan got another point for the away side. Paul Kingston got the game's final score as Laois ran out convincing winners in the end.

Laois have a week break before they face potential promotion candidates Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon on March 19.