Champions Elect! Laois crowned Division 4 champions

Laois are Allianz Football League Division 4 champions after a superb performance from start to finish saw Justin McNulty's side crowned champions against Leitrim.

Two second-half goals from Eoin Lowry and Paul Kingston put Laois well on their way to victory in GAA HQ this afternoon.

Laois 3-14 

Leitrim 0-9

Leitrim got off to the perfect start as Riordan O'Rourke pointed straight from the throw-in. Laois' first score came courtesy of their captain as Damon Larkin played a superb long-ball into Evan O'Carroll who rattled the crossbar but he was being fouled in the process. He then pointed the resulting free. Laois made it two points to one after six minutes as Paul Kingston got his first of the contest.

Leitrim levelled the game after 12 minutes as Riordan O’Rourke got his second score of the contest. The next two scores were traded as O’Carroll’s goal-bound effort went over the black spot while Mark Plunkett replied with a point from under the Cusack stand.

Laois’ first goal would follow as Shaun Fitzpatrick went on a superb run before he squared the ball to full-back Ben Dempsey who palmed the ball into the net. Ryan O’Rourke replied for Leitrim to leave Laois ahead by two points before McNulty’s side fired over three scores on the bounce. Lowry, O’Carroll and Kieran Lillis (mark) all pointed as Laois led 1-6 to 0-4.

Ryan O’Rourke and a splendid 50-yard free from goalkeeper Nevin O’Donnell both raised white flags for Leitrim. O’Carroll got the final score of the first period with a free, Laois ahead 1-7 to 0-6.

Laois started the second-half the same way that Leitrim did the first as Mark Barry got his first score of the game straight from the throw-in. Leitrim reduced Laois’ lead to two points as they raised three white flags without reply. Goalkeeper O’Donnell pointed from a 45’ and from play with Barry McNulty also raising a white flag, that would be Leitrim’s final score of the contest as Laois took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Lillis teed up Paul Kingston to point before Lowry was on the end of a turnover from a Leitirm kick-out to get Laois’ second goal of the contest. Mark Barry and two points from Evan O’Carroll pushed Laois further ahead before a third goal from Laois put the game to bed. Kingston scored the third goal before Rioghan Murphy and Lowry pointed to end the game.

Laois now have two weeks off before facing Offaly in the quarter-final of the Leinster Championship.