Laois continue winning ways in the Joe McDonagh with victory over Kerry

Laois have made it three wins from three in this year's Joe McDonagh Cup as Willie Maher's side had 10 points to spare over Kerry in Austin Stacks Park Tralee this afternoon.

11 points from Laois captain Aaron Dunphy coupled with a goal from Mossy Keyes put Laois well on their way to victory.

Laois 1-25

Kerry 0-18

Laois kicked off the scoring for the contest with a fine point from Liam O’Connell after 15 seconds. Fionan Mackessy replied pointing from play before Paddy Purcell laid the ball into Tomas Keyes who rattled the back of the Kerry net with seven minutes on the clock.

A well worked score from Tom Cuddy after a one-two with Purcell was followed by two consecutive scores from the home side, coming from Colin Walsh and a 65’ conversion from Maurice O’Connor. 

O’Connell split the posts for his second point of the game while Michael Leane pointed from a short free played by Mackessy. David Dooley had a goal scoring opportunity to put Laois six points clear but was stopped by Louis Dee. 

Purcell earned himself a score to keep three between the sides before O’Connor and Picky Maher traded frees. Another Laois goal opportunity arose for Aaron Dunphy who managed to beat Dee in the nets but corner back Evan Murphy cleared the ball off the line and out for a 65. Picky Maher stepped up and slotted the resulting 65’ between the posts. 

Laois hit another two scores on the trot with Dooley raising his first white flag while Picky added a second free to his tally. Killian Hayes hit a fine score from distance for the Kingdom while a good Laois move saw David Dooley raise a white flag for the second time. The half ended with Ronan Walsh and Aaron Dunphy traded points as Laois led 1-10 to 0-7 at the break.

The second-half wasn’t as eventful as the first with a lot of frees being awarded and both sides not being able to be play the fluid hurling that we’re accustomed to. Aaron Dunphy got the second-half’s scoring underway as he took over the free-taking duties after Picky Maher had been replaced at half-time. Maurice O’Connor replied with a free for Kerry. 

The next Kerry score came from a turnover as Ronan Walsh turned Aidan Corby in midfield before raising a white flag. Laois scored the next three points without reply as Aaron Dunphy pointed two frees and Paddy Purcell scored from play. Mackessy and Aaron Dunphy (65’) traded scores as Laois led by eight points with 20 minutes left to play.

Enda Rowland was twice called into action as he first saved Mackessy’s effort before also saving the rebound. The next four scores were all frees as Aaron Dunphy added to more to Laois’ tally with Colin Walsh and Mackessy getting a score each from placed balls. Mackessy and a Walsh free left Laois’ lead at six points but it never looked as if Kerry would get back into the game.

Laois made sure that wouldn’t be the case with four scores on the bounce. Aidan Corby and Mossy Keyes pointed from play with Aaron Dunphy adding two more points from frees. Colin Walsh pointed yet another free for Kerry as the game slowly ticked toward the end with the game over as a contest. Aaron Dunphy and Mackessy added a point apiece from play while Aidan Corby and substitute John Lennon also raised white flags. Brandon Barrett and Ronan Walsh got the last two scores for Kerry with an Aaron Dunphy free sandwiched between the two scores.

Laois now have a weekend off before welcoming Down to Portlaoise for Round 4.