Leinster final beckons after Laois Camogie team defeat The Dubs to set up Wexford date

Laois have a Leinster final to look forward to after an outstanding performance on Saturday afternoon. Pat Collier and Robert Jones' side produced an amazing comeback in the second half to beat Dublin in a sun-drenched Laois Hire O'Moore Park. Trailing by five points at half time, Laois outscored the Dubs 11 points to three in the second half to book their place in the provincial decider.

Joint managers, Collier and Jones made two changes from the team that thrashed Wicklow in the previous round, both in the forwards, with Kirsten Keenan and Aiva Coss making way for Grainne Delaney and Alice Walsh. There was also a third switch, made just before throw-in, with Jade Bergin coming into the midfield for Jessie Quinlan.

Laois 0-17 

Dublin 1-11

Jennifer Moore opened the scoring for Dublin against the run of play, but Laois hit back with a superb score, taken from a very tight angle by Alice Walsh. Róisín Ní Chathasaigh landed a couple of quick scores for the visitors, who were making the most of their limited time on the ball.

Grainne Delaney returned fire for Laois but her side were wasteful in the final third, and Dublin punished them for it with two great scores from Moore. Sophie McIntyre and Aimee Collier traded scores in the 15th minute before Eimear Hassett opened her account with a tidy finish.

The home side were playing well now as a Collier free made it a one-point game after 20 minutes with Laois's third score on the bounce. Ní Chathasaigh replied with a free of her own before McIntyre raised a green flag from close range in the 26th minute thanks to a great pass inside from Amy Carey.

Rachel Deegan almost responded immediately, but her thunderous shot came back off the crossbar. Collier and McIntyre traded scores at the end of the half as the Dubs led by five points at the interval; 1-8 to 0-6.

Grainne Delaney scored for Laois immediately from the restart, followed by Collier, Deegan and Susie Delaney all inside the opening three minutes. 

Collier then levelled the game in the 37th minute as Laois were playing with all the momentum and intensity. The dead-ball specialist from Camross then slotted a 45 to put Laois ahead with their sixth unanswered score after half time.

Gráinne Skelton got Dublin on the board with a free almost quarter of an hour into the second half, but Collier cancelled that out with another free of her own. Collier and Deegan both landed scores from long range to push Laois three points in front with just over ten minutes remaining.

Dublin were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute, but Camross goalkeeper, Aedin Lowry made an incredible save prevent Ní Chathasaigh from making it a draw match. Anna Sullivan landed a point for the visitors, but Collier hit back again with a pair of frees to put Laois four points ahead with two minutes left on the clock.

Dublin put themselves back within a score deep inside injury time but the final whistle mercifully went after 66 dramatic minutes as Laois booked their place in the Leinster final with Wexford to play in Tullamore on Saturday, May 18 at 2pm.