Larkin and Roche to the fore as Laois defeat Longford in Division Four opener

Laois have gotten their Division Four campaign off to the best possible start as a superb performance from first minute until last saw them record a two-point victory over Longford in Laois Hire O'Moore Park this evening.

Killian Roche and Damon Larkin were immense for Justin McNulty's side with the Laois goalkeeper racking up five points while Larkin fired in 1-2 from midfield.

Laois 1-12

Longford 2-7

Laois goalkeeper Killian Roche got the game's first score with a beautiful point under the stand. Ben Dempsey, making his Laois League debut, put in a superb one-handed challenge as Cathal McCabe bared down on goal. Damon Larkin pushed Laois two points ahead as he caught an opposing kick-out before playing a one-two with Shaun Fitzpatrick which resulted in a white flag.

Evan O'Carroll opened his account as Laois captain with an outside of the boot effort. Longford got their first notch on the scoreboard as Ryan Moffett split the posts after 15 minutes. Cathal McCabe doubled Longford's tally soon after with a score from play.

Laois ended the half with four points unanswered. Larkin and Roche (free) both put the ball between the posts for Laois before two frees from O'Carroll left Laois ahead 0-7 to 0-2 at the break. In the midst of the Laois scores, Roche pulled off a magnificent one-on-one save from a Jayson Matthews' effort. Laois were full value for their lead having had the wind in the first-half.

Joseph Hagan reduced Laois' lead to four points at the beginning of the second-half as he hand-passed the ball over the bar. Roche kicked his third point of the game before Darren Gallagher replied with a free for Longford. Mark Barry (free) and Mark Hughes (mark) traded scores before Longford were awarded a penalty.

McCabe was fouled with Gallagher stepping up to send Roche the opposite way. Laois goalkeeper Roche was having a superb game as he soon took his tally to four points with his second free. Laois then raised a green flag as Mark Timmons slipped the ball to Larkin, who made no mistake with his finish into the back of the net to take his individual tally to 1-2. Roche would soon add a fifth point to his name to push Laois six points ahead.

Cathal McCabe and Mark Barry traded scores while Laois would finish the game with 14 men as substitute Danny O'Reilly was shown a black card in the 66th minute. Mark Hughes added another point to Longford's tally. The away side then had a huge opportunity to raise a second green flag as Gallagher blasted the ball wide when through on goals. Laois had a goal disallowed in added time as Seamus Lacey tapped the ball into the net after Ciaran Burke's effort had been blocked but it was ruled out for a square ball.

Longford did get a second goal late on through Dylan Farrell but it was too little too late as Laois won out by two points in the end. Laois travel to Wexford Park next Saturday evening from 6pm.