Laois hurlers looking to build on Down victory with clash against neighbours Carlow

Willie Maher and his Laois hurling side will be looking to push their season to the next level as they cross the border to play Carlow in the third round of the Joe McDonagh Cup.

Laois recovered well to an opening-day defeat to Offaly with a comprehensive victory over Down in Portlaoise last weekend. They had 31 points to spare over their Ulster opponents as they fired in seven goals with Stephen Bergin getting in for a hatrick.

Carlow will prove a tougher task for the O'Moore County as they come into the game unbeaten. They put Kildare to the sword in round one with a five-goal rout over the Division 2A runners-up before Kerry left it late to snatch a draw against Tom Mullally's side.

A win for Laois on Saturday in Netwatch Cullen Park would ignite their season as they go in search of back-to-back wins and a spot in the Joe McDonagh final on the weekend of May 27/28. Carlow won't be a pushover and Laois will know they're in a contest from the first whistle.

The team news has been announced ahead of the game with the side seeing two changes from the victory over Down. The two Dunphys, Willie and Aaron, both drop out of the side after both men left the field last week with hamstring injuries. Martin Phelan replaces Aaron Dunphy while Tomás Keyes replaces Willie Dunphy at number 14.

The Laois starting 15 v Carlow:

Enda Rowland (Abbeyleix St Lazarian's)

Fiachra C Fennell (Rosenallis)

Liam O'Connell (Rathdowney-Errill)

Donnchadh Hartnett (Rosenallis)

Ryan Mullaney (Castletown)

Padraig Delaney (The Harps)

lan Shanahan (Ballinakill)

Aidan Corby (Clough-Ballacolla)

Ross King (Rathdowney-Errill)

Patrick Purcell (Rathdowney-Errill)

Stephen Maher (Clough-Ballacolla) 

James Keyes (Colt-Shanahoe)

Martin Phelan (Castletown)

Tomás Keyes (Camross)

Stephen Bergin (Clough-Ballacolla)

The game throws-in at 3pm in Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday April 22. Tickets can be bought here.