Second-half blitz sees Laois U-20's get the better of Kildare

The Laois U-20 hurlers have won their opening group game in this year's Leinster Championship as a strong second-half performace saw them get the better of 14-man Kildare in Hawkfield Centre of Excellence this evening.

The weather conditions weren't ideal for hurling as the rain continuously fell with a strong wind hampering the ability to keep the ball to hand.

Laois 1-17

Kildare 0-11

Oneills.com Leinster U-20 Hurling Championship Tier 2 Group 2 Round 1

Laois raised the first white flag after Colin Byrne was fouled with Clough-Ballacolla's Padraig Brennan pointing the free. Kildare would then fire over three unanswered scores as the home side played the better hurling in the opening exchanges. Charlie Sheridan pointed wonderfully while he also slotted over a 65'. Daire Guerin opened his account with a white flag.

Byrne replied for the O'Moore County with a point from play. Kildare were scoring in batches as they got two more scores without reply. Ciaran Kirwan and Cian Boran both pointing a score each.

Bobby Murphy set up the next Laois score with Brennan getting his second point of the contest. Half-back Alan Goss pointed superbly while Sheridan got his third point of the first-half with a placed ball. Brennan pointed a free before the break as Laois trailed by two points, Kildare 0-7, Laois 0-5.

Laois didn't take long to go ahead in the second period as within five minutes of the restart, they went ahead for the first time since the opening score. Bynre raised his second white flag after a long ball in from keeper Brochan O'Reilly found the Abbeyleix St Lazarian's man, who made no mistake with his strike.

Noah Quinlan and Cillian Dunne getting their first notches on the scoreboard. Laois would have a man advantage for the last 25 minutes as Conor O'Grady was sent off for striking out on Dunne after the Clough-Ballacolla man had pointed. Sheridan would put two more scores for the Lilywhites as they once again led on the scoreboard. 

Laois hit another patch of unanswered scores as Quinlan and Dunne (free) got their second points of the contest while Cathal Cuddy also put the sliotar between the posts. Kildare would level the game yet again as Alan Goss and Guerin brought the scores to 0-11 apiece. Guerin's score would be Kildare's last of the game as Laois made the most of the man advantage.

Substitute James Cuddy showing his worth off the bench as the Camross man contributed 1-1 to Laois' tally. His goal coming as a result of a ball in the square with his effort deceiving Ben Loughlin in the Kildare net. Quinlan added a further three points to bring his total to five while Byrne and Cathal Murphy pointed too. 

Laois winning out 1-17 to 0-11 with Carlow due to come to Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Thursday evening in Round 2.