Laois safely through to Leinster quarter-final with win over Wexford

Laois have safely navigated the challenge of Wexford as they had four points to spare over the Yellowbellies in the Leinster Football Championship in Laois Hire O'Moore Park this afternoon.

The win sees Laois set up a showdown with Dessie Farrell's Dublin in two weeks time in the quarter-finals.

Laois 2-17

Wexford 2-13

Laois got proceedings under way with the first two white flags of the contest. A super ball in from Eoin Lowry found Mark Barry, who marked the ball before kicking over his left-boot. Evan O'Carroll scored the second Laois point as a long ball from Lillis found O'Carroll who saw his shot tipped over the bar.

Wexford finally found their feet in the game as they fired over 1-2 without any Laois reply. Ben Brosnan, a late addition to the side, got Wexford's first score for the Yellowbellies. Robbie Brooks opened his tally as Laois squandered a kick-out before the full-forward got in for goal as slack hand-pass from Padraig Kirwan saw the ball fall to Sean Nolan to tee up Brooks for an open goal.

Paul Kingston kicked his first free while Paudie Hughes replied for Wexford. The next Laois score was a well-worked move as Robbie Pigott found Kingston, who in turn set up Paddy O'Sullivan to split the posts. Laois were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes as Mark Timmons was shown a black card. Brosnan kicking two more frees for the away side as they led by four-points.

Laois kicked the next three scores as Kingston kicked two frees, the second one was a superb kick from the corner. Damon Larkin was provider for the next score as he went on a great run before O'Carroll dissected the posts. Nolan adding to Wexford's advantage with a score from play.

The next score was a comedy of errors as the Wexford full-back attempted to play the ball back to goalkeeper Craig McCabe, who saw the ball go over his head. O'Carroll was on hand to square the ball to Barry with the O'Dempsey's man kicking the ball into an empty net.

Wexford kicked the last two scores with Kevin O'Grady scoring a wonderful effort off the outside of his left boot. The final score of the half came from Brosnan as he pointed for the fourth time of the half. The Yellowbellies leading by a point at the interval.

Laois would be ahead within three minutes of the restart as they came out all guns blazing. Barry kicked his second free while Larkin scored a fabulous score off the outside of his boot. O'Carroll getting Laois' third point in three minutes to push Billy Sheehan's side ahead. Nolan and Barry (free) traded scores with Brosnan getting his fifth point of the contest to put Laois ahead by one again.

Sheehan's side hit the front again as O'Carroll kicked a 45' before Larkin, making his Championsip debut, pointed his second score from play. Laois were almost in for their second-goal as O'Carroll teed up Lowry, but he couldn't wrap his foot around the ball. O'Carroll pointed his fifth point with a 45' as Laois led by four-points.

Wexford would be given the chance to make it a one-point game as Scott Osborne brought down Brosnan in the square with the latter stepping up to tuck the ball away from the penalty spot. Laois' reply would also be a goal as attempted shot from Lillis skewed off his left-foot before Barry was first to the ball as he swung his right-boot at the ball and saw it fly into the top corner. The O'Dempsey's man taking his tally to 2-3. He would get the next Laois score as they now led by five-points with seven minutes to play. O'Carroll pointed another free for Laois with Brosnan replying in similar fashion as Laois still had a comfortable lead. 

Laois extended their advantage as Kingston kicked over his fourth point, his first from play. Brosnan kicked his seventh point, his fifth from a placed ball. Barry almost secured his hatrick as his rasping shot rattled off the Wexford crossbar. Eoghan Nolan got the game's last score as Laois ran out four-point winners in the end.