It's the Mo show as Nerney comes alive in extra-time to see Laois Ladies into All-Ireland semi-final

Laois dug deep to come out on top in a dramatic encounter with Wexford at Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Sunday afternoon, sealing their place in the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-final after extra-time, thanks largely to the outstanding performance of Mo Nerney, who kicked five points in the additional 20 minutes.

The tie was a repeat of the 2022 final between the sides, and it lived up to its billing, with both counties throwing everything at it in search of progression. Laois came into the clash looking to build on home advantage, while Wexford, still chasing a breakthrough title at this grade, were determined not to add another painful chapter to their recent championship history.

Laois 1-17

Wexford 2-12

The hosts made the brighter start, with early fouls on Emma Lawlor and Eva Galvin giving Laois a platform. Mo Nerney converted the first free before Lawlor added one of her own. Wexford got off the mark through Kellyann Dempsey after ten minutes, but Laois soon carved out a superb team goal. Galvin fed Lawlor, who buried the ball beyond Siobhan Cloake.

Lawlor passed up a second goal chance shortly after, opting to fist a point with only the keeper to beat. Wexford responded well, with scores from Aoife Cullen, Emily Lacey, and Clara Donnelly keeping them in touch. Galvin and Ciara Banville traded points, while Jane Moore added Laois’ final score of the half. Cullen was denied a goal by a brilliant stop from Eimear Barry just before the break, but Banville’s point meant the gap was just three at the interval, Lawlor’s goal proving the difference at 1-6 to 0-6.

Wexford came out flying in the second half and turned the game on its head. Anna Hughes pointed, and Ailis Neville palmed in the rebound after Barry had initially saved from Orlaith Byrne. The teams then went score for score, with Nerney and Cullen (free) on target before Lawlor levelled things once again with a placed ball.

Wexford pushed two clear with scores from Maria Byrne and Cullen, but Nerney popped up with a vital score in the 57th minute. Then, when Laois desperately needed someone to stand tall, Lauren Kearney came up clutch, landing the final point of normal time to bring the game to 1-10 apiece and force extra-time.

That’s when Mo Nerney took over. She wasted no time making an impact, pointing inside the first minute of extra-time and adding a free soon after. Wexford stayed in it with Neville and Catriona Murray on target, but it was clear the momentum had swung Laois’ way.

The home side hit a purple patch early in the second period of extra-time, reeling off four unanswered points. Fiona Dooley got on the board, Kearney added her second, and Nerney, showing her class when it mattered, nailed two from play in quick succession to open up a significant lead.

Wexford gave themselves hope when Tara Doyle smashed a goal into the top corner to close the gap to one, but Nerney stepped up again to slot the final score and ensure Laois held firm in a thrilling finish.

Laois now advance to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Monaghan in two weeks’ time, with belief building that this group, led by the inspirational Nerney, can go even further.

SCORERS-- Laois: Mo Nerney 0-8 (0-2 frees), Emma Lawlor 1-3 (0-2 frees), Lauren Kearney 0-2, Emily Lacey, Fiona Dooley, Eva Galvin and Jane Moore 0-1 each. Wexford: Aoife Cullen 0-4 (0-3 frees), Ailis Neville 1-1, Tara Doyle 1-0, Ciara Banville 0-2, Kellyann Dempsey, Maria Byrne, Catriona Murray (free), Clara Donnelly and Anna Hughes 0-1 each.

LAOIS: Eimear Barry (Shanahoe); Sinead Farrelly (St Joseph’s), Faye McEvoy (Ballyroan), Clodagh Dunne (Ballyroan); Aoife Gorman (Timahoe), Anna Moore (St Joseph’s), Andrea Moran (Ballyroan); Fiona Dooley (Portlaoise), Jane Moore (St Joseph’s); Shifra Havill (St Conleth’s), Eva Galvin (St Conleth’s),  Ciara Crowley (Portlaoise); Emily Lacey (St Joseph’s), Emma Lawlor (St Conleth’s), Mo Nerney (Timahoe). Subs: Katie Donoghue (Timahoe) for Lacey and Lauren Kearney for Havill (Both 52 mins), Aoibhe Byron (St Conleth's) for Gorman (58 mins), Mary Cotter (St Conleth's) for Byron (Start of ET), Emily Lacey for Crowley (72 mins, inj), Deirdre Phelan (Portlaoise) for Lawlor (80 mins)

WEXFORD: Siobhan Cloake; Katie English, Sadbh McCarthy, Kellyann Dempsey; Ciara Banville, Aisling Halligan, Maria Byrne; Clara Donnelly, Roisin Murphy; Aoife Cullen, Catriona Murphy, Orlaith Byrne; Ailis Neville, Anna Hughes, Chloe Foxe. Subs: Sherene Hamilton for O Byrne (27 mins), Tara Doyle for Foxe (58 mins), Chloe Foxe for Donnelly (Start of ET), Grace Donovan for Foxe (64 mins), Clara Donnelly for Murphy (HT ET), Julia Dempsey for Hughes (75 mins)

Referee: Ray McBride (Dublin)