Laois footballer's promotion hopes dented after Leitrim loss

Leitrim hit two massive injury time points to secure a victory in a rain swept Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada over Allianz NFL Division 4 leaders Laois.

It looked as if Laois were going to end the Leitrim's promotion dreams for yet another year when they recovered from a five point deficit to take the lead with 15 minutes to go but then Leitrim dug deep to score a dramatic victory.

Leitrim 2-14

Laois 0-18

Laois got off to the better start with two points inside the first 90 seconds, Evan O'Carroll setting up Mark Barry for a point after 20 seconds before Paul Kingston put over a free after an off-the-ball foul. Leitrim had a real let off when Barry fisted a bouncing ball into the side-netting with only Nevin O'Donnell to beat after two minutes.

Donal Wrynn, operating at full-forward, claimed a mark from a Paddy Maguire ball and converted while Aidan Flynn saw a shot drift wide in the wind. Laois went two up again when Kingston converted a free for another off-the-ball foul on ten minutes but Leitrim went straight down the field where Mark Plunkett scored from distance.

Evan Lowry scored an excellent point on 11 minutes but Leitrim's good start and the form of Evan Sweeney was rewarded when he won a long ball, beat his man and delivered a great pass across the goal for Keith Beirne to virtually tap to the net unopposed.

Sweeney quickly added a point after good work from Donal Wrynn while Aidan Flynn saw a point disallowed for over-carrying. Laois hit back with two points from Mark Barry, one from a free, but two Keith Beirne frees restored the two point gap after 25 minutes.

Shane Quinn curled the ball in over the bar before Barry and Beirne swapped frees. Paul Kingston and Beirne them swapped frees before Evan O'Carroll held off a defender to score just before halftime to leave Letirim 1-8 to 0-9 ahead at the break.

With the game finely balanced, Leitrim got a dream start to the second half when Shane Quinn drove through on a loose ball from the throw-in and released Pearce Dolan. With Keith Beirne charging ahead of him, he kept going before unleashing a shot that hit the inside of the right hand post and landed in the net for a perfect start for Leitrim.

Laois' response was impressive as they reeled off six unanswered points over the next 15 minutes to take a one point lead. Mark Barry scored from a tight angle before wing-back Brian Byrne chipped over from almost on the endline but crucially he didn't spot teammate Damon Larkin steaming through the middle unmarked in front of goal.

Kingston added a free before an O'Carroll run from the corner saw him find Barry for another point ten minutes into the second half. Kingston then scored from play, gathering a low pass on 50 minutes to tie the scores and a minute later, Sean O'Flynn's strong run released Barry for a fine point from a tight angle and the lead for Laois.

Crucially Laois suffered a blow when the influential Kevin Swayne went off injured and Leitrim sub Jack Heslin made a strong run down the middle before finding Keith Beirne who claimed a good mark under pressure, firing over on 55 minutes to tie the scores. Another foul on Beirne saw him edge Letirim back in front a minute later.

Laois cleverly worked a long free into Evan O'Carroll who scored from the right corner to tie the scores again but another Beirne free saw Leitrim back in front.

Barry McNulty made a great interception from Scott Osborne's kickout before feeding James Rooney who broke a tackle to set up another sub Jack Heslin for a great point.

Laois' response was quick - Paul Kingston fired over a free that was moved in for dissent and after Beirne missed from distance, Kingston claimed a mark over his shoulder and then first over with less than six minutes of normal time left. 

Leitrim were rushing their shots with Heslin, Shane Quinn and Beirne all missing chances before the home team's chances took a major blow when Shane Quinn was booked for a second time. However, from the fifty yard free, Evan O'Carroll left his effort short and off-target.

Leitrim launched another high ball in towards the Laois goal - somehow Donal Wrynn managed to work the ball to James Rooney who held off fierce Laois defensive pressure to get the ball out to an unmarked Mark Plunkett and he drilled a 40 yard effort over the bar in added time to enormous cheers from the Leitrim fans.

Laois came looking for an equaliser with Patrick O'Sullivan's effort batted out by the defence and Paul Kingston firing wide from close range in a real let off for Leitrim.

Leitrim then won a sideline ball and after Keith Beirne's first two efforts were deflected wide, he drilled the third effort over the bar to put the home side two up.

Then came a serious injury for Eoin Lowry in an off-the-ball tussle that led to a black card for Conor Reynolds. The game was held up for almost six minutes before Lowry was stretchered off the field leaving Leitrim down to 13 men. Laois worked the ball up the field with Sean Greene before Patrick O'Sullivan lobbed a ball into the goalmouth.

The ball broke for Laois but they were unable to get a clear sight of goal with the entire Leitrim team back in the area, Keith Beirne making an interception before booting the ball clear.

If Leitrim beat Sligo next and Laois beat London and Wicklow beat Waterford, all four teams could end up on ten points and then it would come down to scoring difference - at present, Leitrim have the best scoring difference but Laois and Wicklow could make big inroads into that advantage if they win big in their games.