Laois footballers’ season brought to an end with Down drubbing in Tailteann Cup semi-final

The Laois Senior footballers returned to Croke Park for the first time since their 2019 Leinster semi-final loss to Meath. Billy Sheehan’s side faced off against a strong Ulster outfit in Down in the Tailteann Cup semi-final.

While Down were favourites heading into this semi-final, no one could have predicted the beating that was about to unfold. Down tore Laois to shreds for seventy-plus minutes, as they racked up an incredible 8-16 in Croke Park.

Down 8-16

Laois 2-12

 Billy Sheehan’s side could not have made a worse start to this semi-final clash. In the first minute of play, Laois were split wide open through the middle which was to be an omen for things to come.

Liam Kerr went one on one with Laois keeper Killian Roche and Kerr calmly tucked home. Evan O’Carroll had the chance to get Laois on the scoreboard in Croker down the opposite end, but his free trailed to the left and wide.

Pat Havern extended Down’s lead with a point from close-range. Laois held enough possession in the first half but failed to break down a packed Down defence, who deserve credit for their discipline as well.

Down grabbed their second goal before the ten-minute mark. Again, the nature of the goal was similiar, as Down drove right through the heart of the Laois defence and Billy Sheehan’s side parted like the red sea for them.

Full-forward Pat Havern added to his earlier point by drilling home to the left corner of the Laois net, giving Killian Roche no chance.

Niall Kane came up from his goals to launch over a Down point from a placed ball. Laois finally registered their first score after twelve minutes of play, as Mark Barry claimed a mark and curled over with his left boot.

However, Down ruthlessly struck back with their third goal inside the first quarter. There was a touch of fortune about this one, as a shot from distance came off the upright but fell nicely for Liam Kerr inside.

Kerr still had a lot of work to do but he coolly knocked the ball into the bottom left soccer-style. Laois conceded their fourth goal not long after, as Danny McGill got in on the scoring act for Down.

The match was over as a contest already. Laois improved slightly in the second quarter from an attacking perspective but Down still had far too much time in front of the posts.

Eugene Branagan, who orchestrated a lot of the Down attacks during the first-half, fisted over a point after that. Eoin Lowry responded for Laois with a second point from a mark but Down hit back with a Ceilum Doherty score.

Kilcoo man Eugene Branagan assisted Pat Havern for another Down point. Laois’ keeper Killian Roche replied for the O’Moore County, as he came up from his goal to float over a 45’.

Down added the next three points through Rory Mason, Ceilum Doherty and Pat Havern. Laois replied with their first score from play through Evan O’Carroll, but it was Down who finished the half on top.

Branagan and Kerr landed points from play before the end of the first half to further extend their lead. Laois did have a rare sight at goal towards the end of the half, but Paul Kingston’s shot was straight at Down’s Niall Kane.

Down enjoyed a 4-10 to 0-4 advantage at this stage in Dublin. The half-time team talk can’t have been easy for Laois manager Billy Sheehan, who would have known this semi-final was over and done as a contest.

Sheehan did run the bench at the interval, with young players such as Kevin Swayne, Sean O’Flynn, Alex Mohan and Dylan Kavanagh getting their chance to play in Croke Park.

It made little difference though, as Down continued to rack up the scores. The sensational Liam Kerr sealed his hat-trick with another classy finish, while Odhran Murdock, Danny McGill and Rory Mason also raised green flags.

Laois did have more success up front in the second-half. O’Dempsey’s man Mark Barry chipped in with 1-5, with his goal coming from a penalty, while Eoin Lowry, Dylan Kavanagh and Paul Kingston also raised white flags.

Half-time substitute Kevin Swayne scored a goal as well, but the Laois men were soundly beaten in the end. It will be a tough off-season for Laois despite the decent finish to the season, as they prepare for another Division 4 campaign.