Goals galore as Laois have too much for Down in the Joe McDonagh

Laois have recorded their first competitive win of the season as they recorded a routine victory over Down in the second round of the Joe McDonagh Cup in Laois Hire O'Moore Park this afternoon.

Four first-half goals from the O'Moore County had put the game beyond doubt before the half-time whistle. Laois will be hoping the two injuries sustained by the two Dunphys, Aaron and Willie, aren't too serious. 

Laois 7-23

Down 0-14

Joe McDonagh Cup Round 2

Laois fired over the first three scores as Down hit three wides in the same time period. Captain Willie Dunphy opened the scoring after 20 seconds as he returned to the side after injury. Stephen 'Picky' Maher pointed a free with Aaron Dunphy also pointing from play. 

Down opened their tally in the seventh minut as Paul Sheehan dissected the posts. Laois were by far the superior side as they rattled in 1-2 without reply. Picky setting up Ross King to point while Aaron Dunphy got his second score of the contest. Willie Dunphy raising the first Laois green flag after the goalie had saved from Stephen Bergin.

The away side raised the next two white flags as Liam Savage and Tim Prenter both scored from play. Laois would hit the front again as James Keyes opened his tally while Picky Maher took his tally to 1-1 after King teed him up for goal. Laois had another goal chance, but Bergin's effort just crept wide after Tomas Keyes had put him through. 

Paddy Purcell got the game's next score with Paul Sheehan replying for the Ulster side. The next two scores were traded as Ian Shanahan and Ruairi McCrickard dissected the posts for either side. Picky Maher pointed a 65' while James Keyes scored from play as Laois held a healthy lead. Pearse Og McCrickard pointing for Down's sixth point.

As half-time approcahed, Laois made sure of the result as they fired in 2-2 before the break. King and a Picky Maher free was followed by a goal from Bergin while Tomas Keyes raised a green flag at the second attempt after a super run up-field from Fiachra C Fennell set up the Camross man to score. Down's Chris Egan got the last score of the half as Laois held a comfortable lead.

Laois began the second-half the same way they had the first as Picky Maher pointed two frees. Laois would soon get their fifth goal as a run up-field from Shanahan saw him pass to Purcell with the Rathdowney-Errill man finding Bergin who dispatched the ball beyond Stephen Keith to get his second goal. Paul Sheehan pointed two frees for Down as Laois knew the result was in the bag. Picky Maher raised a white flag for the first time from play before Padraig Delaney scored a wonderful point.

The O'Moore County would raise their sixth green flag in the 46th minute as a puck-out from Enda Rowland found Purcell and he made no mistake drilling the ball into the bottom corner. Sheehan got the next score as he pointed for the fifth time. John Lennon making his return in the blue and white of Laois pointed from play after replacing Aidan Corby. Tomas Keyes and Sheehan traded scores from play as Laois led by 25 points. Down pointed another score as Pearse Og McCrickard got his second white flag.

It would soon be seven goals for Laois as Bergin completed his hatrick with a superb finish to the left of Keith in the Down goal. Podge Delaney got his second point of the game as he pointed well from play. Pearse Og McCrickard took over the free-taking duties as he slotted a free over for Down. Bergin remarkably almost had his fourth goal only for a stunning point-blank save from Keith. PJ Scully, who replaced Picky Maher, pointed from a free as the clock ticked past the 63rd minute.

Pearse Og McCrickard got his fifth score of the contest with a free for Down. PJ Scully followed suit as he got his second point after coming on. Lennon also getting his second score as he pointed from the Down 21-yard line. Another Laois substitute got the next score as Padraig Lalor made no mistake in splitting the posts. King getting the last score as Laois recorded a comprehensive victory after last week's defeat to Offaly.

Laois have a six-day turnaround with a trip to Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday to face Carlow in Round 3.