14-man Laois squeeze past New York to secure Tailteann Cup quarter-final place

Laois have sealed their spot in this year's Tailteann Cup quarter-finals after they just about got over the line against New York in Laois Hire O'Moore Park this afternoon.

A 58th minute goal Mark Timmons proved crucial for Justin McNulty's side as they struggled to break down the New York defence.

Laois 1-13

New York 1-9

Paul Kingston fresh from his superb performance against Fermanagh last weekend kicked the game's opening score after 50 seconds as Rioghan Murphy attempted to get in around the back of the New York defence. The Arles-Killeen man doubled his lead a few minutes later from another placed ball. New York's Shane Brosnan got The Exiles off the mark with a score from play. Kieran Lillis had a chance for goal after being played by Evan O'Carroll but his palmed effort was denied by the New York defence.

Laois captain O'Carroll opened his tally for the contest to get Laois' third point after a splendid run by the Crettyard forward. Mark Barry done likewise for the next Laois score as the home side led 0-4 to 0-1 after nine minutes. The travelling New York contingent then had a goal to celebrate as Bobby O'Regan slotted the ball over the head of Killian Roche from the 14-yard line. Killian Roche kicked a free to push Laois in front with 17 minutes played.

New York almost had a second goal after Roche looked to play a cross-field ball to Conor Heffernan but Emmet O'Connghaile got there first with the goal gaping. Mark Timmons could have been shown a black card for his tackle on O'Connghaile but referee David Murnane decided to play advantage and issue a yellow card instead after Bobby O'Regan added to his goal with a point from the same play. 

O'Carroll and Jack Reilly traded points at either end as the sides remain locked level. Roche kicked a second free before his New York counterpart Joseph Grace slotted over a 45'. Killian Butler kicked New York ahead for the first time with 31 minutes played. Paul Kingston teed up Niall Dunne for Laois' final score of the half but it would be New York that would lead at the interval as Butler pointed a free to leave the score at 1-6 to 0-8 at the break.

It took six minutes for the scoring to resume in the second period as Rioghan Murphy pointed his only score of the game. Niall Dunne set up Mark Barry to give Laois the lead before Laois were reduced to 14 men after 48 minutes. Shaun Fitzpatrick was shown a second yellow card after a foul on Robert Wharton. New York pointed the resulting free from Butler before he followed suit to give New York the lead yet again with 20 minutes to play. Kingston slotted over a free for Laois to end a 10-minute spell without a score.

New York's Jack Reilly missed a guilt-edge opportunity to get a second New York goal as he drilled the ball wide from six-yards out much to the astonishment of everyone inside Laois Hire O'Moore Park. Laois' next score would be a crucial one as Damon Larkin's hand-pass looked to have gotten away from Mark Timmons but the Graiguecullen man kept going as he buried the ball beyond Grace in the New York net. Butler (free) and Barry traded points as Laois led by three as we approached five minuets of added time. Laois' insurance point came courtesy of a free from Roche with Noel Hatton receiving a black card for his foul on Paul Kingston.

Laois will play in the Tailteann Cup quarter-finals next weekend with the draw to be made on Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One from 8.30am on Monday, June 10. Laois can face Sligo, Kildare or Down in an away quarter-final.