Late drama as Laois spurn an eight-point lead after late Carlow penalty sees the game end level

Laois have been dealt a huge blow in their opening game of this year's Tailteann Cup after Carlow made an extra-ordinary comeback to snatch a point late on thanks to an Aaron Amond penalty in the fifth minute of added time in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Sunday afternoon.

Laois 2-17

Carlow 2-17

It didn't take long for the first score as Conor Heffernan raised the first white flag for Laois with a minute played. Carlow opened their account from the very next play as Cormac Lomax split the posts. Five minutes passed before the next score as patient build-up from Laois saw Mark Barry break through the Carlow defence to get his tally off the mark. Conor Crowley replied for Carlow with the sides locked level at two points apiece after seven minutes.

Laois would take full control of the game from here as Rioghan Murphy kicked a point on his starting Championship debut. Carlow were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes soon after as goalkeeper Johnny Furey lost the ball up-field which led to Colin Byrne getting a black card. Laois pushed up on the Carlow kick-out which resulted in the goalkeeper kicking the ball over the sideline. Laois attacked from the line-ball with Evan O'Carroll squaring the ball to Murphy, who palmed the ball into the net. Barry and O'Carroll (free) both pointed as Laois led by six points after 15 minutes.

Carlow hit two scores on the trot courtesy as Aaron Amond broke a spell of 10 minutes without a score for Niall Carew's team. Jamie Clark split the posts after a lung-busting run. Laois were almost gifted a goal as Evan O'Carroll won the ball in the Carlow defence but his solo went astray. Justin McNulty's men would soon be awarded a penalty as Niall Dunne was fouled in the square. Mark Barry stepped up and tucked the ball into the bottom corner leaving Johnny Furey with no chance even after he dived the right way. Conor Crowley and O'Carroll traded scores while O'Carroll and Darragh Foley pointed a free each to leave Laois ahead by seven points.

Brian Byrne added to Laois' advantage with Amond replying for Carlow. O'Carroll took his tally to four points before the end of the half. Carlow had a goal chance before the half-time whistle but Paddy McDonnell's shot was blazed over the crossbar. Laois ahead 2-9 to 0-8 at the break.

Carlow attacked with intent at the start of the second-half as they got the got three out of the first four scores as well as having a goal chance. Carlow launched the ball into the square from the throw-in with Killian Roche on hand to deny Darragh Foley's palmed effort. Conor Doyle pointed the resulting 45'. Mark Barry added a point to his tally from play in reply. Lomax had another chance at goal for Carlow but his goal-bound effort deflected off Mark Timmons with Doyle yet again pointing from a 45'. Darragh Foley pointed a free as Laois' advantage was cut to five points.

Laois responded well to the pressure from Carlow as they got the next three scores without reply. Rioghan Murphy and Simon Fingleton raised white flags from play with Barry adding a score from a free. Darragh Foley added two frees to his name with Mark Barry doing likewise for Laois from play. Conor Doyle and Eoin Buggie traded points as Laois still led by eight points with 62 minutes on the clock. Doyle kicked his third 45' for Carlow as Kevin Swayne replied instantly for Laois.

Carlow hit a purple patch for the next three minutes with 1-2 without reply. Doyle (free) and Eric Molloy raised white flags before the latter teed up Amond to smash the ball into the roof of the Laois net. Only three points separated the sides as we approached four minutes of added time. A long ball in from Amond dropped in around the Laois box where it was batted into the hands of Ross Dunphy, the Carlow substitute was then brought to ground for a penalty in the dying embers of the game. Aaron Amond stepped up and sent Killian Roche the wrong way to send the Carlow crowd into raptures.

Laois travel to Aughrim next Sunday to face Wicklow in Round 2 while Carlow welcome Fermanagh to Netwatch Cullen Park