Laois to face relegation play-off as Antrim get the better of Laois in Belfast

Laois will face another game in this year's Division 1 hurling league as Antrim got the better of Laois in Corrigan Park this afternoon.

Willie Maher's men came into the game knowing that a win would cement their Division 1 status next year, however they will face Leinster rivals Westmeath in the relegation play-off.

Antrim 3-18

Laois 1-18

Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B Round 4

Laois got off to a perfect start as Tomás Keyes got Laois' first score after a minute. Stephen Maher opened his tally for the contest with a point from a placed ball. Antrim's first score would put them ahead as Nigel Elliott fired the ball beyond Enda Rowland in the Laois goal.

The away side responded well to the early goal as three different players raised white flags from play. Maher got his second of the game while Martin Phelan and Aaron Dunphy got their names on the scoreboard for the first time.

Antrim steadied the ship and pointed a free as Liam O'Connell fouled to give Conal Cunning an easy chance to reduce the deficit. Tomás Keyes got his second of the game before Keelan Molloy replied for The Saffrons. Laois hit the front again with two unanswered scores courtesy of a free from Maher and a superb score from James Keyes.

The game was nip for tuck as both sides cancelled each other, Maher pointed two frees while Cunning pointed a free and 65'. Laois got in for goal soon after as super strength from Aaron Dunphy saw him burst through the Antrim defence before flicking the ball past Ryan Elliott in the Antrim goal.

Midfielder Jack Kelly followed up the goal with a splendid score from way out the field. Molloy kept Antrim's score ticking over as Laois led by five points. Ryan Mullaney got Laois' next score as he showed his footballing skills to kick the ball over the black spot. 

Antrim tacked on two scores without reply as Cunning pointed a free while Niall McKenna raised a white flag from play. James Keyes got his second point of the game as Laois went seven minutes without a score. Kelly turned provider for the next score as his sideline found Dunphy, who made no mistake splitting the posts to push Laois six points ahead as half-time approached.

Laois would only go into the break two points ahead as Neil McManus scored a wonderful goal before Cunning got his sixth point of the contest. The half-time score 1-14 to 2-9 in favour of Laois.

Antrim started the second-half with their tails up as they fired over the first three scores of the half. Cunning pointed a free before half-back Joe Maskey and McManus also raised white flags for Antrim. This being the first time Antrim had been ahead since their first score of the game.

Dunphy got Laois' first score of the half with a splendid score from the sideline before Antrim went further ahead as they fired in 1-1 unaswered. Cunning scoring the 1-1 himself as he fired over a free before receiving the ball from Nigel Elliott and blasting it into the Laois net.

Antrim leading by four points as Laois struggled for scores when they needed it most. Maher did point a free to reduce the lead but Antrim kept the scoreboard ticking as McKenna and Cunning both pointed. Maher would get another point from a placed ball as Laois went into the last five minutes needing scores. Aaron Dunphy took his tally to 1-4 as Laois needed a goal as the clock ticked past 70 minutes.

Antrim would tack on another three scores before the end as Eoin O'Neil, Paddy Burke and a free from Cunning secured the victory for the Saffrons. Substitute Gearoid Lynch saw red late on for the away side. Laois close out their league campaign against Dublin in Parnell Park next Sunday before their crucial relegation decider against Westmeath.

SCORERS- Antrim: Conal Cunning 1-10 (0-9 frees;0-1 65'), Neil McManus 1-1,Nigel Elliott 1-0, Keelan Molloy and Niall McKenna 0-2 each, Eoin O'Neil, Paddy Burke and Joe Maskey 0-1 each. Laois: Stephen Maher 0-7 (0-6 frees), Aaron Dunphy 1-4, Tomás Keyes and James Keyes 0-2 each, Martin Phelan, Ryan Mullaney and Jack Kelly 0-1 each.

LAOIS: Enda Rowland (Abbeyleix St Manman's); Ian Shanahan (Ballinakill), Liam O'Connell (Rathdowney-Errill), Donnchadh Hartnett (Rosenallis); Padraig Delaney (The Harps), Patrick Purcell (Rathdowney-Errill), Fiachra C Fennell (Rosenallis); Jack Kelly (Rathdowney-Errill), Aidan Corby (Clough-Ballacolla); Stephen Maher (Clough-Ballacolla), Ryan Mullaney (Castletown), James Keyes (Colt-Shanahoe); Tomás Keyes (Camross), Martin Phelan (Castletown), Aaron Dunphy (Borris-Kilcotton). 

SUBS: Willam Dunphy (Clough-Ballacolla) for Phelan (43 mins), James Duggan (The Harps) for Mullaney (50 mins), Geroid Lynch (Ballinakill) for Corby (57 mins), Stephen Bergin (Clough-Ballacolla) for J Keyes (57 mins).

ANTRIM: Ryan Elliott; Paddy Burke, Ryan Mc Garry, Stephen Rooney; Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh, Niall O'Connor; Michael Bradley, James Mc Naughton; Keelan Molloy, Niall McKenna, Nigel Elliott; Conal Cunning, Neil Mc Manus, Conor Johnston. 

SUBS:Seaan Elliott for Johnston (34 mins), Domhnall Nugent for McKenna (63 mins), Scott Walsh for O'Connor (64 mins), Paul Boyle for Maskey (67 mins), Eoin O'Neil for N Elliott (72 mins).