Laois U-20 hurlers tee up Offaly date in Leinster quarter-final

Damien Carter’s Laois U-20 hurlers have sealed their place in the quarter-finals of this year’s Leinster Championship after a comfortable victory over Kildare in Hawkfield on Friday evening.

Laois opened the scoring after just 10 seconds as Jack Breen raised a white flag with a super long-range strike before Kildare could even lay a hand on Laois.

Leinster U20 Hurling Championship 2024  Knockouts Round 2

Laois 2-19

Kildare 0-16

Kildare would respond instantly as Daniel O’Meara found Kildare’s top-scorer this year Fionn Maher, who struck over a fine point from out wide.

James Dolan combined with Killian Harrington for The Lilies second score as they took the lead. Laois would level with a Ben Deegan free, the Camros forward was near flawless from set-pieces on the night.

The sides remained level at the 10-minute mark as Kildare points from Harrington and Maher, both getting their second, were matched at the other end by Laois midfielders Cody Comerford and Conor Fitzpatrick, who both hit scores from range.

Fionn Maher put Kildare two clear with a couple superbly converted frees that were sent over in his typical nonchalant style. Laois would hit back well with a free from Ben Deegan and the score of the game to that point from Jer Quinlan with an outrageous point from out wide.

The visitors would go two clear in the exact same fashion as they levelled. Deegan popped over a simple free, which was followed by another outstanding Quinlan point from near the sideline to make it 0-8 to 0-6 after 23 minutes.

Tommy Brennan would then take aim at the Kildare posts to extend his side’s lead. His effort dropped short and gathered by Cormac Byrne. The Laois corner-forward was then dragged to the floor and awarded a penalty, having been denied a clear effort at goal.

Ben Deegan would step up to take the penalty, but drilled his effort down the middle and the ball was smartly tipped over the bar by Cormac Doolan. Despite the penalty miss, Deegan’s saved effort put Laois three clear.

That margin would soon be four as Cody Comerford hit a fine effort from distance between the sticks. One at each end from Fionn Maher and Ben Deegan would send the sides in at half-time at 0-11 to 0-7.

After a strong showing in the opening half, The Lilies still trailed and faced a tough battle to maintain their momentum and keep a high-quality Laois side at bay. Laois would assume firm control of the game after the break. A hammer blow to Kildare hopes was the concession of the games opening goal.

After galloping forward from midfield, Laois joint-captain Conor Fitzpatrick found himself in an advanced position and rifled his effort into the top-corner of the net. The goal gave Laois an eight-point lead and 10 minutes later they would net another to put this game firmly to bed.

Cormac Byrne drew the attention of the Kildare defence before he offloaded to Laois’ other joint-captain Jer Quinlan in space. Quinlan drilled his effort low past an advancing Cormac Doolan to give Laois a 2-14 to 0-9 lead.

The second raising of a green flag ended this game as a contest in truth, but Kildare were unrelenting in their desire to push on. The Lilies notched another seven points and reduced Laois to five as both sides rang in the changes.

Laois now go forward into the quarter-finals of this year’s Leinster Championship to face Offaly in what will be a repeat of the Leinster Minor final of 2021. That game is due to be played on Wednesday, May 8.