Laois U-20 footballers seal top spot with third successive victory

Kieran Kelly's Laois U-20 footballers have secured top spot in Group 2 of this year's Leinster Championship after they won their third game in a row against Wicklow in Blessington this evening.

Cathal Lee's goal was the difference in Laois' victory over Wexford and the Clonaslee St Manman's forward put in another solid display scoring 1-4 as well as setting up numerous Laois attacks. John Brennan put in another great shift at centre-back for Laois.

Laois 2-12 

Wicklow 0-6

It was the home side that would strike first as the Wicklow captain Adam Byrne raised a white flag in the opening minute. Laois' opening score came from the boot of Cillian Maher as Graiguecullen's Jack Byrne was fouled. Wicklow had plenty of possession in the early stages of the contest but couldn't muster up many scoring opportunities as Laois defended in numbers making it difficult for Wicklow.

John Brennan, who made a crucial goal-saving tackle against Wexford last week, was there when his team needed him as he made a superb block on Eanna Nolan from close-range. Laois' Cathal Lee, the scorer of the goal against Wexford, opened his tally after a quick break from Laois saw Conor Brown join the attack and add some pace into their play. Laois almost got in for the game's first goal but Lee's effort was excellently saved by Adam O'Leary. The Lee shot coming from another good piece of play from Laois which saw John Brennan, Darragh Slevin and Conor Brown all involved in creating the goal chance.

Lee added to his and Laois' tally with a point from a free. Cathal Lee was proving his worth to Laois as he assisted the next Laois score. Jack Byrne turned over the ball in midfield with Lee passing the ball off to Rory Lalor, who made no mistake in splitting the posts. The game's first goal came after 23 minutes as Stradbally's Cillian Maher unleashed a rasping shot into the roof of the Wicklow net after John Brennan had played a long ball in.

Laois ended the half with two more scores as Jack Byrne's effort looked to have gone over the head of O'Leary but the Wicklow goalkeeper tipped the ball over the black spot. Jonah Kelly kicked a lovely score off his left boot as Wicklow got the half's final score. Conor Fee pointed a free to leave it 1-6 to 0-2 in Laois' favour.

Brian Hurley and Jonah Kelly traded frees at the beginning of the second period as Laois made changes at the break to give lads on the panel some game time and to stake their claim for a starting position in the quarter-final. Hurley added a fourth point for Wicklow as Laois substitute goalkeeper Oisin Ramsbottom made a splendid save soon after from a point-blank Conor Manifold effort. Cathal Lee added a point to his name from a free as Lalor was fouled while Ethan Drury got a score on the board having come off the bench.

Wicklow replied with two scores on the bounce courtesy of an Eanna Nolan free and a Dylan Prendergast effort from play, a score that would prove to be the home side's final score of the game. Laois killed the game off with the next score as Cathal Lee made it two goals in two games. Jonah Kelly played a ball to Lee, who showed his soccer skills to knock it past the goalie and tap the ball into an empty net. The game ended with three further scores for Laois. Cormac Murphy pointed from the rebound of a Jonah Kelly shot while Laois captain Darragh Slevin and Lalor (free) got the game's final points.

Laois winning out comprehensive winners 2-12 to 0-6 in the end to set up a quarter-final with Meath in Laois Hire O'Moore Park this day week.