Laois footballers dig deep to bounce back against Antrim in Portlaoise

Laois have got back to winning ways in this year's Allianz Division 3 after a superb comeback performance saw them past the challenge of Antrim on Saturday evening in Portlaoise.

The O'Moore County had trailed by six points midway through the first-half but got themselves ahead with a superb show of shooting in the end. 14-man Antrim almost snatched a point late on but couldn't muster up a third two-pointer in a row to level the game.

Laois 0-22

Antrim 1-17

Laois' first score came after three minutes from a free after Ronan Coffey was fouled. Mark Barry pointed it off his left foot. A brilliant ball from Brian Byrne set up the second score as Niall Corbet split the posts to open his account. Antrim's first score saw a green flag raised after Laois goalkeeper Killian Roche was caught upfield. Seamus Lacey fouled the ball on the floor while Laois were attacking which left Roche in no man's land and Antrim took a solo and go which ended with Conor Hand kicking the ball into an empty net.

The resulting kick-out was kicked back over Roche's crossbar as Dominic McEnhill got his first point of the game. Ryan McQuillan slotted over Antrim's second point as they raced into a 1-2 to 0-2 lead with 11 minutes on the clock in Portlaoise. Laois' next score came from Antrim breaching the three-up, three-back rule but instead of kicking for a single point, Laois opted to bring the ball outside the arc and Roche kicked over a great two-pointer.

Antrim hit the front in the next four minutes as they raised three white flags and an orange flag without reply. McEnhill, Niall Burns and Patrick McBride scored single points with Antrim goalkeeper Michael Byrne pointing a two-pointer from a free. The Saffrons now led 1-7 to 0-4 and it looked like they would run away with it at that stage.

Mark Barry kicked over a super score in reply with Damon Larkin following suit. Niall Burns added to Antrim's lead with Larkin and Barry (free) replying yet again for Justin McNulty's side. Roche was called into action to stop a shot from Eoghan McCabe before McQuillan pushed Antrim four points ahead. 

Credit to Laois, they kicked the final three scores of the half courtesy of Niall Corbet (two) and Ben Dempsey to go into the dressing rooms a point behind having been six down midway through the half.

It only took Antrim 12 seconds to add their slender advantage as Conhuir Johnston split the posts with goalkeeper Byrne pointing a 45'. Corbet was having a great evening as he kicked over a fourth score of the evening. Mark Barry also pointed a free before Antrim were reduced to 14 men. Kavan Keenan was lucky to have stayed on in the first-half after fouls on Barry and Corbet but a foul on Barry as he header for goal saw him receive his marching orders. Barry slotted over the resulting free. 

Laois went ahead in the 46th minute for the first time since Niall Corbet kicked their second point in the seventh minute when Daniel O'Reilly raised a white flag. Niall Burns replied for Antrim to level the sides again but Laois pushed on again through Barry and a fisted point from Brian Byrne. McEnhill kicked a free between the posts for Antrim.

McNulty's side got the next five points to strengthen their position and go six points in front. The first of those was a brilliant score from Pa Kirwan, who also fisted a point over the bar. Barry and Larkin both added to their tallies as it looked as if Laois were home and hosed at this stage.

With six points separating the sides, Antrim started to look for two-pointers and they ended up kicking two courtesy of Dermot McAleese and McBride to set up a titanic finish but Laois held on in the end for a precious two points.

They have a week off now before facing Clare on Saturday, March 15 in Portlaoise.