Victory not enough for Laois over Kerry as they end Joe McDonagh Cup campaign

Laois have ended their Joe McDonagh Cup campaign with victory over Kerry in Austin Stacks Park but their win isn't enough to see them into the final due to results elsewhere as Carlow defeated Offaly in Netwatch Cullen Park.

Willie Maher's side will look to the Carlow game as the one that defined their faith having had every chance in that game to get the victory in Round Three.

Laois 4-23

Kerry 0-21

Joe McDonagh Cup Round 5

Kerry began the game on the front foot as Brandon Barrett got the game's opening score. Laois responded well however as they fired over two scores without reply as James Keyes and Stephen 'Picky' Maher raised white flags for Willie Maher's side. The two Conways pointed for Kerry as Jordon Conway capitalised on a poor puck-out from Rowland to spilt the posts while Shane Conway pointed a free.

Martin Phelan and Jordan Conway traded points while Shane Conway got his second free of the contest. The next four scores were split as Laois pointed through Mossy Keyes and Enda Rowland (free) while Shane Conway pointed two frees for The Kingdom. The next Laois score would be simple in its making as Paddy Purcell passed to James Keyes, who in turn set up Picky Maher to rattle the Kerry net. Padraig Boyle replied with two scores for Kerry as Maher pointed a free with Mossy Keyes pointing from play to put Laois a point up.

Kerry would soon go a point ahead as Evan Murphy and another free from Shane Conway saw Kerry lead 0-11 to 1-7. Kerry also had a massive goal chance as Jordan Conway bore down on goal only to see his effort go wide. Picky Maher got another point for Laois as he caught the ball from a Rowland puck-out to split the posts. Like before, the next four scores would be traded as Podge Delaney and Picky Maher raised white flags for Laois with Shane Conway (free) and Fionan MacKessy leveling the sides for the ninth time in the first-half. Laois would go into the half-time break ahead as a free from Picky Maher and a point from Aidan Corby saw Laois lead 1-12 to 0-13.

Kerry started the second-half with two scores without reply as Podge Boyle and Shane Conway (free) leveled the game yet again. The game-defining scores would come next as Picky Maher pointed a free while Stephen Bergin was fouled in the square with Enda Rowland burying the resulting penalty. Barrett and Paudie O'Connor both raised white flags for Kerry. The next three scores for Laois would all be frees as Picky Maher pointed two while Rowland took his tally to 1-2 with a placed ball.

Jordon Conway got a point back for Kerry before Laois hit five scores unanswered. James Keyes and Ian Shanahan as well as two frees and a 65' from Picky Maher saw Laois push eight points ahead. Jordan Conway and Picky Maher (free) both pointed as both sides knew the result in Carlow was gone beyond doubt as the game fizzled out. Substitute Dan Goggin pointed for Kerry while Laois got another two goals as Paddy Purcell scored a screamer of a goal while Stephen Bergin also got in on the act as Laois ran out 14-point winners in the end.

Phillip Lucid got the game's final score as both sides exit the championship. The win for Laois wasn't enough to get to the Joe McDonagh Final as Carlow defeated Offaly elsewhere to book their place in the final against the same opposition in two weeks' time.