Tailteann Cup final heartache for Laois GAA footballers as Down crowned champions

Laois have lost out to Down in this year's Tailteann Cup final after a titanic battle in Croke Park this afternoon.

Justin McNulty's side competed well for most parts but their inability to score for large parts of the game ultimately proved decisive as they went scoreless for 20 minutes twice in the game while Down just kept adding points to their tally on the break. 

Down 0-14

Laois 2-6

With the wind behind them, Down came flying out of the blocks early on as they registered three points in the opening four minutes. Liam Kerr, Pat Havern and Shealan Johnston all raised a white flag each for Conor Laverty's side. Laois were patient in their attacks as Mark Barry got Laois off the mark in the contest with a score from play. James Kelly's attempted pass to Brian Byrne was intercepted by Down goalkeeper John O'Hare but Ballylinan's Seamus Lacey was quickest to react as he tucked the ball into the Down net to send the large Laois crowd into raptures.

Jonny Flynn and Evan O'Carroll traded scores with O'Carroll's coming from him winning the ball on the Down 21' line. Laois then went 20 minutes without adding to the scoreboard as Down scored four points in that time. Havern, Ryan Johnston and two points from Odhran Murdock saw Down lead 0-8 to 1-2 after 29 minutes.

In the midst of those scores, Down had a big goal chance after Ben Dempsey coughed up possession which allowed Down to break quickly. Liam Kerr's shot for a score only ended up dropping into Killian Roche's hands. Laois had a slight goal chance of their own but Damon Larkin was bottled up by the Down defence. With 25 minutes on the clock, Down had kicked as many wides as they had scores with six.

Laois goalkeeper Killian Roche kicked the final score of the half which proved to be Laois' only point from a placed ball in the opening 35 minutes. Down held a two-point advantage at the break, 0-8 to 1-3.

Down's lead would be eradicated shortly after half-time as Conor Heffernan and a Mark Barry free levelled the sides. The free that Barry scored had been taken by Killian Roche from 50-metres was brought forward. Laois went ahead in the 44th minute as Paul Kingston kicked a free but Down controlled the game from then on. Danny Magill pointed twice having come off the bench while Murdock and Caolan Mooney also raised white flags. Pat Havern (free) and Peter Hagan split the posts to put five between the sides with four minutes added on. Laois were given a lifeline late on as Mark Barry scored a screamer of a goal from the 21 to give the Laois fans some late hope.

It brings an end to the Laois' footballers 2024 campaign and what a campaign it was. They were crowned Division 4 League champions and got to the final of the Tailteann Cup. Attention now turns to the upcoming Laois Shopping Centre Club Championships.