Laois defy the odds in Tailteann Cup to surprise Fermanagh in Brewster Park

Laois came under plenty of criticism during the week for their lacklustre performance against London the last day out. Billy Sheehan’s side barely scraped a draw to advance through to a prelimary quarter-final.

Not too many gave them a chance away in Brewster Park against Fermanagh. However, the Laois lads showed their resilience and character to come away with a one-point lead in Ulster.

Laois 1-11

Fermanagh 1-9

Both sides showed signs of early nerves in Brewster Park in the opening stages of this clash. Kieran Donnelly and Billy Sheehan’s men were guilty of some unforced errors that meant we had to wait six minutes for the first score.

That first score did go the way of the home team though. Fermanagh full-back Che Cullen cut through the heart of the Laois defence before firing over the first point of the match.

Laois continued to struggle to find ways through a packed Fermanagh rearguard for the first twelve minutes here. However, Fermanagh weren’t showing much attacking prowess either which allowed Laois to remain just a point behind.

The first score for the away outfit came from a Fermanagh mistake at the back, as one of their players picked the ball right off the ground. Mark Barry took advantage of this by curling over the free to get Laois up and running.

That score gave the Laois lads some much-needed confidence. Wing-back Padraig Kirwan penetrated through a few Fermanagh bodies before the ball was eventually transferred over to Paul Kingston who edged Laois ahead.

Fermanagh’s fantastic wing-back, Shane McGullion, was their stand-out player for the first half. McGullion levelled proceedings after his attempt came in off the upright.

 However, Laois were playing with the more freedom and creativity now. Billy Sheehan’s side kicked the next three scores to leave the sizeable home crowd in Brewster Park a bit stunned.

The first of those three points was set up by midfielder Kieran Lillis. The Portlaoise clubman played a classy outside-of-the-boot pass into the arms of Evan O’Carroll, who claimed the mark and placed it over.

Damon Larkin’s workrate was important in Laois’s first-half success. Larkin tore through the middle, and while his shot was blocked down, Mark Timmons curled over the rebound off the ground with his left foot.

Laois stretched three clear after twenty minutes of action. Evan O’Carroll epitomised Laois’ workrate by turning over Fermanagh and launching a counter-attack which ended with Colm Murphy curling over.

Fermanagh could have easily wiped out all of Laois’ good work with their first shot on goal. Shane McGullion went through the middle with far too much ease but McGullion’s shot ricocheted off the crossbar and away.

Ryan Lyons did grab a point back for Fermanagh with a point from play but their attack still wasn’t clicking. Laois restored their three-point cushion through Evan O’Carroll, as he grabbed James Finn’s big punch from a kick-out and cracked it over.

Fermanagh were then dealt a massive blow before the whistle sounded for half-time. Midfielder Ryan Jones received a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident with his Laois counter-part Damon Larkin.

Shane McGullion did send over the final score of the first half which meant Fermanagh only trailed 0-4 to 0-6 at the break in Brewster Park.

While Fermanagh were playing with a man less for the second half, you certainly couldn’t tell that difference in the first ten minutes. They outscored Laois four points to nothing at this stage to take the lead here.

Luke Flanagan, first half substitute Conor McGee, Ryan Lyons (free) and Brandon Horan all raised white flags for Fermanagh as they remarkably turned this match on its head.

Laois’ intensity that they brought to the first half was not there at the start of the second half. However, they did hit Fermanagh for the first goal of the game to earn the lead back.

Some very patient play was eventually rewarded with the ball in the hands of Mark Timmons just outside the square. Timmons made no mistake with his finish by blasting it past Fermanagh keeper Sean McNally.

Laois went two to the good thanks to a sublime score from Evan O’Carroll. However, Fermanagh hit back as they scored a goal with sixteen minutes remaining.

UItan Kelm’s pace was becoming a problem for the Laois defence. Kelm cut through and played a handpass into big Sean Quigley, and the Fermanagh marksman fisted home.

Laois levelled soon after though through a Paul Kingston point from a placed ball. We had to wait another six minutes for the next score then, but thankfully it went the way of Laois as Paul Kingston kicked another free.

Fermanagh managed to deadlock the teams again though. They worked the ball out to the left-hand side and Ryan Lyons landed one between the posts off his left foot.

Laois edged back in front though through Mark Barry. The O’Dempsey’s clubman had a quiet game but managed to excellently catch a ball despite losing his balance. Barry was fouled and placed the free over himself.

Fermanagh had three decent chances to tie the game, but they were left frustrated each time. As they piled forwards searching for the equaliser in injury-time, Laois caught them out at the back.

James Finn kicked a long ball into Eoin Lowry. He found Mark Barry, with the Laois corner-forward curling it over the bar with his right boot.

Fermanagh had one final opportunity at the very end to steal the win. Ryan Lyons had a close-range free but his rasping effort was saved off the line by the Laois bodies and the referee blew the full-time whistle straight after.