Laois relegated to Division 2 by Westmeath as goals prove decisive

The Laois' hurlers have been relegated to Division 2 after defeat to Westmeath in Semple Stadium this afternoon. This is Laois' first relegation from Division 1 since being relegated in 2012.

Laois will look at the two periods in the first-half where Westmeath fired in 1-2 without reply as well as their inability to score goals when they were needed.

Westmeath 3-24

Laois 1-26

Allianz National Hurling League Division 1 Play-Off

Laois got off to the perfect start as they won a free straight from the throw-in. Stephen 'Picky' Maher opening his account with a placed ball. Picky Maher turned provider for the next score as he set up Martin Phelan to split the posts.

Westmeath got their first point of the contest in the third minute as Killian Doyle pointed a free. Stephen Bergin got Laois' third point with a sublime effort from the sideline. Westmeath hit Laois for two unanswered points as Killian Doyle and Joseph Boyle pointed raised white flags.

Laois hit their purple patch of the half as they fired over five points without reply. Picky scoring from a free and one from play while Bergin got his second of the contest. James Keyes and Tomás Keyes both getting their first scores of the match.

The Lake County replied in the best way possible as they too fired in five points in the form of a goal and two points. Ciaran Doyle getting his first point before Boyle raised a white flag and a green flag to leave the sides level.

Laois hit the front again as they raised three white flags in succession, Picky and James Keyes pointing before Aaron Dunphy got his first of the game. Dunphy's score meaning that all six of Laois' forwards had got their name on the scoreboard.

Killian Doyle (free) and Jack galvin reduced to Laois' lead to one before Jack Kelly pointed for Willie Maher's side. Westmeath once again hitting Laois for 1-2 without reply as Killian Doyle pointed two frees before Niall O'Brien got on the end of a high ball in to bat it beyond Rowland in the Laois' goal.

Picky Maher pointed a free, James Keyes scored from the sideline and another point from Kelly saw the game level as it approached half-time. Westmeath would go into the break a point ahead as Killian Doyle pointed from play. An enthralling first-half ending 2-10 to 0-15 in favour of The Lake County.

Westmeath got the first two scores of the second period as Killian Doyle pointed two placed balls. Picky pointed his sixth and seventh points of the contest as Westmeath held a slender one-point advantage in the second-half.

A free from Killian Doyle and a point from Ciaran Doyle added to Westmeath's lead as they now led Laois by three points. Killian Doyle took his tally to double figures as he pointed from play before James Keyes got his fourth point for Laois with half-back Ian Shanahan also pointing for the men in blue and white.

Another free from Killian Doyle was matched by with a score from Mossy Keyes. Aaron Dunphy put one between the sides with 53 minutes on the clock. Joe Fortune's men took their advantage back to three points as Ciaran Doyle and Davy Glennon raised white flags.

The game would be cut back to a one-point game yet again as Laois' substitute Ross King pointed two scores without reply. Killian Doyle pushed Westmeath further ahead with a point from play after a neat piece of skill to lose his marker.

Laois levelled the game in the 61st minute as a free from Picky and a point from James Keyes left the scores at 2-19 to 0-25. Westmeath weren't put off by Laois' momentum as Eoin Keyes went straight back up the pitch and fired the ball into the bottom corner of the Laois net.

The Westmeath lead was pushed to four as Darragh Clinton pointed off the bench. Another substitute, James Duggan raised a white flag for Laois as four minutes of additional time was announced. Clinton took over the free-taking duties with him getting his second score since being brought on.

Derek McNicholas and Eoin Keyes put Westmeath ahead by six points as the game looked to be up for Laois. The O'Moore County did get a goal at the end as Enda Rowland rifled in a 21-yard free. McNicholas got the game's last score as Joe Fortune's men won out by four points in the end.