Carlow bring a halt to Laois hurlers’ perfect start in Division 2A

Laois’ winning streak in Division 2A of the National Hurling League came to a disappointing end with a defeat to Carlow in Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday evening.

The visitors arrived in Portlaoise for this third round clash off the back of two impressive wins over Meath and Kerry in the league and this would certainly prove to be Laois’ toughest test so far.

CARLOW 1-23

LAOIS 0-21

Carlow’s half forward line accounted for 16 of their 24 scores, with Chris Nolan the pick of the trio at centre forward with four points from play and an all-around terrorising performance.

Enda Rowland once again proved how essential he is to this Laois team as he pulled off a string of magnificent saves throughout the game and threw his body on the line late in the game to deny a goal, whilst also slotting two long range frees at the other end.

Laois dominated the opening quarter of the game and held a three point lead on the 15 minute mark, but a goal from Scott Treacy ignited Carlow and they took control from there.

By half time the visitors held a four point lead and that was increased to 10 with 55 minutes played in the second half.

The hosts found their spark in the final quarter as they outscored Carlow by eight points to three but the damage was already done and Laois couldn’t get any closer.

After five scoreless minutes to open the game Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher got the first point from a free.

Scott Treacy and Conor Kehoe replied from play as the game suddenly sparked into life.

Laois fired over the next three on the trot through Jer Quinlan, Aidan Corby and Tom Cuddy and things were looking good for the O’Moore men.

John Michael Nolan struck a brilliant score on the run from the right wing for Carlow, but they were still under pressure at the other end as Picky Maher slotted a brace of frees.

It was at this juncture that things started to turn the way of the visitors. Martin Kavanagh got his first of nine points from a free and James Doyle split the posts from out the field.

David Dooley slotted a brilliant score over the shoulder from out on the left side to put Laois two ahead in the 18th minute, however just eight scoreless minutes later the tide was turned.

Kavanagh and John Michael Nolan levelled the game with a point each before a Laois attack turned into a goal for Carlow after Scott Treacy finished off a brilliant break up the field by the visitors.

Two more frees from Kavanagh either side of a wonder score from Dooley saw his side five points to the good.

Chris Nolan and Aaron Dunphy traded scores as Laois looked to claw back the deficit before the break.

The sides went tit for tat in the final five minutes of the half as Rowland and Kavanagh traded frees before Martin Phelan and Chris Nolan landed a point each to bring the half to a close and Carlow led by four.

Laois needed a big start to the second half, but found themselves trailing by nine points 10 minutes in.

Chris Nolan and Fiachra Fitzpatrick pointed within seconds of the restart. Paddy Purcell hit back with a good score before Carlow went on to score the next four in a row through Chris Nolan, Kavanagh and a brace from Kevin McDonald.

A Picky Maher free stemmed the tide for a moment and only a moment as Kavanagh replied immediately before John Michael Nolan got his third.

A shift in momentum began with two points from placed balls by Maher in the 55th minute, the first time Laois scored two in succession since the 14th.

Carlow got one back from Kavanagh but their backs were starting to feel the pressure and started conceding fouls which led to two points for Picky and one for Rowland.

Kavanagh was on top form from frees and made it nine from nine with five minutes left, but the Laois revival continued with two excellent points from play by Paddy Purcell.

Laois trailed by five as the announcement of five minutes injury time rang out and the atmosphere increased in O’Moore Park only to be quietened with a score from Fiachra Fitzpatrick.

Laois managed one final score through Paddy Purcell to round off a brilliant second half for the Rathdowney-Errill man but it wasn’t to be as Carlow held on for a five-point win.