Laois in cruise control as they ease past the challenge of Sligo in Portlaoise

Justin McNulty's Laois side have recorded their second win of this year's Allianz Division 3 Football League campaign after they eased past the challenge of Sligo in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Sunday afternoon.

Mark Barry was to the fore for Laois as he caused Sligo all kinds of problems from minute one until he was substituted in the 66th minute.

Laois 0-23

Sligo 0-16

Laois took control of this contest from the off and dominated possession for the opening four minutes before Ben Dempsey raised the game's first white flag after good build-up play by Justin McNulty's side. Kevin Swayne gave a great pass into Ronan Coffey, who found Dempsey and he kicked it over the black spot off his right. Mark Barry kicked the next two scores with the second being a free on the after Sligo goalkeeper Aidan Devaney had taken too long on a kick-out.

Sligo's first point of the contest came from a free in the same position as Barry's only this time it was for Laois not allowing Sligo to take a free further out the field. Barry looked to have kicked a two-point free over the bar, but Devaney got a touch on it, meaning it only counted for one. James Kelly made sure Laois would kick a two-pointer with the very next play as the St Joseph's man curled one between the posts from outside the arc. Damon Larkin opened his account soon after as Laois led 0-7 to 0-1 after 12 minutes.

Murphy added a second point for Sligo with Brian Byrne popping up with a point for Laois after Ben Dempsey had broken down a Sligo kick-out. Larkin had a great chance for a goal but he saw his shot saved by Devaney in the Sligo net. Alan McLoughlin raised a third white flag for Sligo before Laois put over four scores without reply. Daniel O'Reilly, Pa Kirwan, Barry (free) and a point from play from Laois goalkeeper Killian Roche saw them go nine points ahead with 27 minutes on the clock.

The next minute was chaotic as Sligo had two big goal chances. Niall Murphy's effort looked to be looping into the goal with Killian Roche out the field but his shot bounced wide. The resulting kick-out was won by Sligo and almost ended in a goal but Lee Deignan's effort rattled the crossbar. Laois' 13th point was simple in its making as Damon Larkin went on a great run which resulted in a point for Barry.

McLoughlin kicked a second score of the afternoon for Sligo with his goal-bound shot soon after saved by the feet of Killian Roche. Kevin Swayne kicked the final point of the half as Laois went into the dressing rooms ahead 0-14 to 0-4.

The opening score of the second period saw Sligo raise an orange flag as Murphy scored a free from outside the arc. Barry and substitute Josh Hogan got the two points back almost instantly for Justin McNulty's side. Ross Doherty split the posts for the away side but Laois just kept firing points over down the other end. Larkin gave a great pass to Barry, who turned and pointed before the O'Dempsey's man was given an easy chance to add to his tally after Sligo failed to hand the ball back to Laois after a foul which resulted in a 14-yard free.

Cian Lally pointed for what was only Sligo's eight point as Tony McEntee's side once again gave Laois an easy chance to score as they broke the three-up, three-back rule with Barry tapping over the resulting free. Eoghan Smith came off the bench to score for Sligo but Laois replied with two scores courtesy of a 14-yard free for Barry after Sligo failed to give the ball back again and Portlaoise's Ben Dempsey came forward for his second score of the game. 

McLoughlin kicked a two-pointer for Sligo but like Laois had done previously, they kicked the next two scores to cancel it out. Roche (free) and Barry raised a white flag each. McLoughlin would kick a second two-pointer minutes later but Laois still held a double-digit lead, 23 points to 13. McLoughlin got yet another two-pointer before also kicking a free to see Laois win by seven points in the end.

Laois face a trip to Newbridge next Saturday evening to take on Kildare in Round 4.