Croke Park beckons as Laois dump Kildare out of Tailteann Cup to reach semi-finals

Laois have secured their place in this year's Tailteann Cup semi-finals after a superb performance against Kildare saw them record a five-point victory in Tullamore this afternoon.

A stunning second-half showing from Justin McNulty's side sees them now play Antrim in the semi-finals next weekend in Croke Park.

Laois 2-11

Kildare 0-12

Laois came into the game with the hope of getting to Croke Park for the second time in 2024 and their third time in the last two years. Kildare kicked with a strong breeze at the beginning of the half and they used it to their advantage with the opening score from Darragh Kirwan after Simon Fingleton had been dispossessed with Laois having pushed upfield. Killian Roche was called into action after four minutes as he done superbly well to deny Paddy Woodgate from close-range. Kildare made it two points to nil after 11 minutes as Shane Farrell kicked a free.

It took 13 minutes for Justin McNulty's side to get their opening score as captain Evan O'Carroll slotted the ball over the bar off his right boot. Niall Dunne levelled the sides after a quarter of an hour but Kildare would get ahead through the fist of Kirwan as he hand-passed the ball over Roche's crossbar. James Kelly went on a splendid run for the next Laois score as the St Joseph's man was then fouled in the square by Shea Ryan. The Kildare full-back was shown a black card for the foul with Mark Barry stepping up to send Mark Donnellan the wrong way from the spot. 

Laois failed to capitalize on the extra man for that 10-minute spell as the black card seemed to spark Kildare into life. Kevin Feely, Darragh Kirwan and Shane Farrell all raised white flags for Glenn Ryan's side to give them a one-point advantage. Roche was called into action for the second time as he dived to his right to deny Niall Kelly after he was sent through by Kevin Feely. Shane Farrell pointed the 45' to push Kildare two ahead as half-time approached. Mark Barry and Conor Heffernan made sure it would be a level game at the break with Heffernan's point coming from the quick-thinking of Niall Dunne, who played a quick free to the Killeshin man. 1-4 to 0-7 at the interval.

McNulty's side came out with a pep in their step as they got the opening score of the second period as Mark Barry kicked a free after a foul on Niall Dunne. Another three points came Laois' way without reply as Paul Kingston scored from play while Killian Roche kicked two frees with the second being from Kildare's 65-metre line. Kildare replied with two points of their own from Niall Kelly and Shane Farrell (free) to leave Laois ahead by two points with 20 minutes to play.

Eoin Lowry and Farrell traded points before the turning point came as Laois rattled the Kildare for the second time. Evan O'Carroll broke away after being played in by Brian Byrne before blasting the ball beyond Mark Donnellan. Laois almost a third goal soon after as Paul Kingston went one-on-one with Donnellan with the Kildare keeper making a great save before Kildare's Brian Byrne cleared Kingston's rebound off the line for 45'. Roche kicked the 45' over the bar to give Laois a six-point lead.

Kildare went in search of a goal to get them back into the game but Paddy Woodgate's effort rattled Roche's post. Farrell (free) and Alex Beirne got two points back for Kildare but it was too little too late as Roche kicked his fourth point to give Laois a five-point victory.

Laois will play Antrim in the semi-final next weekend in Croke Park.