Laois hurlers seal league semi-final place with comfortable victory over Meath

Laois have got their Division 2A campaign back on track as they were far the superior against Meath in Pairc Tailteann this afternoon.

Willie Maher's side were rampant in their attack as they racked up 4-8 in the first-half all from play. The only concern for Laois will be that Picky Maher had to be replaced after 25 minutes with an injury.

Laois 4-26

Meath 1-12

Aaron Dunphy got Laois off the mark within the first 60 seconds as the Borris-Kilcotton forward split the posts. Meath responded with two scores of their own as James Toher and Simon Ennis raised white flags. Laois took the game to Meath as they fired in 1-4 without reply. Picky Maher, Paddy Purcell, David Dooley and Jer Quinlan pointed for Laois with the latter smashing the ball into the Meath net after a great pass from Mossy Keyes.

James Murray got Meath's third point of the game before Laois hit another 1-3 unanswered. Picky Maher, Martin Phelan and Aidan Corby raised the white flags while Quinlan returned the favour for Mossy as the Camross man got Laois' second goal. Padraig O'Hanrahan split the posts from a free before Laois raised another two green flags back-to-back. 

Aaron Dunphy went on a solo run for Laois as he batted the ball past Ennis while Martin Phelan was found with a superb pass from Dooley and he made no mistake with his finish. Aaron Dunphy got Laois' first point from a placed ball in the 28th minute as Meath's Kris Gorman pointed a score of his own. Cody Comerford and Jack Walsh traded scores with Meath's Nicky Potterton raising their seventh white flag of the contest.

Aaron Dunphy got the final two scores of the first period as he scored from play and from a free. Laois held a 17-point lead at the break, 4-12 to 0-7.

Mossy Keyes and Phelan got Laois back underway in the second-half before there was a lengthy stoppage which resulted in Meath's James Murray having to be stretchered off the field. Quinlan added another score once the game resumed. Sean Geraghty scored from full-back for the home side with O'Hanrahan raising a consolation green flag for Meath.

Mossy Keyes and Aaron Dunphy increased Laois' lead while O'Hanrahan added another point for Meath. Laois then hit seven points without reply as Aaron Dunphy scored four of them to take his tally to 1-9 with Liam O'Connell, Ian Shanahan and Ryan Mullaney all scoring from the backs. Padraig O'Hanrahan (free) and Cody Comerford traded points as Laois led by 26 points in added time. O'Hanrahan got the final two scores of the contest for the home side from a free and a 65'. Aaron Dunphy ended the game with 1-10 as he scored a 65' late on.

Laois have secured themselves a home semi-final with their opposition to be decided next weekend in the final round of games. Laois will welcome Kerry to Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday afternoon.