Brian Byrne goals prove crucial as Laois seal Tailteann Cup Croke Park final place

Portlaoise's Kevin Swayne celebrates vital second goal that swung game back in Laois' favour in second half. Picture: Sportsfile

placeholder image — Portlaoise's Kevin Swayne celebrates vital second goal that swung game back in Laois' favour in second half. Picture: Sportsfile

Laois GAA footballers into final after big win over Antrim

Laois will contest the 2024 Tailteann Cup final after a superb performance saw them past Antrim in today's Tailteann Cup semi-final in Croke Park.

Laois' goals came at crucial times in the game with half-back Brian Byrne popping up with two splendid goals for Justin McNulty's side.

Laois 3-12

Antrim 1-13

It was Andy McEntee's side which got off to the best start as they opened the scoring after two minutes. Colm McLarnon split the posts before Dominic McEnhill made it two points to nil after four minutes with a free. Laois' first point came courtesy of Paul Kingston as the Arles-Killeen man swung the ball over the bar. Patrick McBride was causing Laois problems as he opened his account.

Conor Heffernan was the maker of Laois' second point as his kick-pass found Mark Barry, who raised a white flag off his trusty left foot. Antrim could have had a goal had it not been for an interception from Mark Timmons in the Laois square. Antrim goalkeeper Michael Byrne pointed the resulting 45'. Barry took his tally to two after 20 minutes as he slotted over a free.

The next six scores were traded as Patrick McBride (2) and McEnhill (mark) pointed for Antrim while Laois' scores came from Evan O'Carroll, Niall Dunne (mark) and Barry as the Antrim held a slender one-point advantage after 25 minutes. Laois ended the half on top as they went ahead for the first time through a well-taken goal by Brian Byrne. Kevin Swayne's effort at goal was blocked down but it fell to Eoin Lowry, who in turn played the ball into the path of Byrne and he blasted it into the Antrim net. Ben Dempsey set up his fellow full-back for the last point of the half as James Kelly scored to give Laois a 1-7 to 0-7 advantage at the break. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Antrim came flying out of the blocks at the beginning of the second period as they got 1-3 without reply. McBride, McLarnon and McEnhill got a point each before Patrick McAleer got on the end of a long ball in to tuck the ball under the on-rushing Killian Roche. Laois finally woke up after 52 minutes as they too replied with 1-3 of their own. Mark Barry ended a 19-minute spell without a score for Laois before Kevin Swayne got Laois' second goal. A shot from Eoin Buggie dropped into the square and Swayne was on hand to fist the ball into the net. Killian Roche and O'Carroll added two more points as Laois led 2-10 to 1-10 with 10 minutes to play. More below picture.

Antrim's McBride got his fifth point of the contest before Laois were dealt a major blow as Evan O'Carroll was shown a black card. Laois responded well to having a man less as Niall Dunne pointed off his left before Brian Byrne made sure of the victory with his second goal after a superb setup from Niall Dunne. Ruairi McCann and Kelly traded scores before Conor Hand got the game's final score as Laois won by five points in the end. More below post.

The Tailteann Cup final will take place on Saturday, July 13 and will be the curtain-raiser for an All-Ireland Football semi-final