Two Laois footballers named in GAA.ie Tailteann Cup Team of the Week

Laois needed a last-minute penalty on Saturday evening in Newbridge to get the better of Offaly in the final game in Group 2 of this year's Tailteann Cup.

Following their 3-18 to 3-16 victory, two of Justin McNulty's players have made it into this week's GAA.ie Tailteann Cup Team of the Week. 

Portlaoise's Damon Larkin and Graiguecullen's Brian Byrne have been named on the team. They combined for 2-5 of Laois' total on Saturday. Larkin, who usually plays in midfield, began the game at full-forward, and it proved to be the right decision as he fired in the game's first goal after 12 minutes before doubling his goal tally 10 minutes later. He then moved back out to the midfield in the second-half. 

Byrne was superb on Saturday evening as he scored four points for Laois in the first 35 minutes, with his fourth point coming just before half-time to end Offaly's purple patch, which saw them score 1-5 without reply to go from six points down to two points up at the break.

That result for Laois wasn't enough for them to move up the standings in Group 2, as they finished third and qualified as one of the best third-placed counties.

They've been drawn away to Westmeath in a preliminary quarter-final in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar on Saturday, June 7 at 5pm. The winner of Saturday's game will qualify for a Tailteann Cup quarter-final where they'll be drawn away to one of the group winners (Limerick, Kildare, Wicklow and Fermanagh).

READ NEXT: IN PICTURES: Laois GAA fans and players celebrate thrilling Tailteann Cup win over Offaly