Second-half scoring blitz sees Laois crowned Division 2A champions against Carlow

Laois have been crowned Division 2A League champions after a superb second-half scoring performance saw Willie Maher's side over the line against Carlow in Netwatch Cullen Park this afternoon.

The O'Moore County scored 2-13 in the second period to Carlow's 1-4 and that proved telling in the final score.

Laois 2-22

Carlow 1-12

Laois got off to a lightning start as they raised three white flags with three minutes on the clock. Captain Aaron Dunphy was fouled before pointing a free with John Lennon getting Laois' second point. Midfielder Paddy Purcell made it three points to nil early on. Carlow's Chris Nolan got the home side's first score as he pointed from long-range. 

Diarmuid Dooley and Chris Nolan traded scores as Laois went 12 minutes without registering a score. Carlow took full advantage of that as they soon levelled proceedings. Nolan and James Doyle pointed from play with Marty Kavanagh opening his account from a placed ball. Dooley raised his second white flag for Laois after 17 minutes but Carlow replied with two points in two minutes through the hurls of Conor Kehoe and a Kavanagh free. Laois had Ryan Mullaney to thank soon after as he made a superb block on Paddy Boland's effort.

Another Carlow goal-bound effort was thwarted as Diarmuid Conway made a superb hook on Nolan's hurl. Mossy Keyes and a free from Aaron Dunphy pushed Laois a point ahead with 25 minutes on the clock. Fiachra Fitzpatrcik and Kavanagh (free) saw the home side go in front again. Laois ended the half the better of the two sides with two late scores to go into the break ahead. Rowland scored a superb long-range free from just outside his own 45' while Dunphy pointed a close-range free as Laois led 0-9 to 0-8.

Carlow levelled the game after the resumption of the second-half as Chris Nolan pointed from a tight angle. The game's first green flag followed as Marty Kavanagh rattled the back of the Laois net. Laois' response was superb as they fired in 2-4 without reply. Mossy Keyes scored with the next Laois attack to cut out the Carlow goal. Dunphy and Lennon raised white flags before Laois' second green flag followed. Jer Quinlan left his marker for dust before batting the ball into the net. Dunphy and a Mossy Keyes sideline put Laois 2-13 to 1-9 in front after 46 minutes. Carlow's Kavanagh pointed from play but Laois would hit the front again with more unanswered scores.

Dunphy pointed three times while Martin Phelan, Quinlan and Fiachra C Fennell all raised a white flag each. Kavanagh pointed a 65' in vain for Carlow with Mossy Keyes adding two more points to his tally. Fiachra C Fennell got a second point after coming on. The game ended with a point from Jack Kavanagh as Laois were crowned worthy winners in the end.