Laois 1-3 

Offaly 4-20 

Both Offaly and Laois went into this match with both having taken care of Kildare and Carlow with ease and as a result knowing that their places in the All Ireland semi finals were secured.  Meetings between these teams at under 14 previously resulted in Laois’ favour but a lot of water has flowed under the bridge from those encounters but a tight affair would still have been expected.  Despite there being a number of changes on both sides from their last outings the final score from Portlaoise’s Centre of Excellence on Sunday, would still have raised some eyebrows as Offaly continued their impressive high scoring. 

From the throw in the visitors settled into the game quicker and picked off 3 points without reply with Amy O’Sullivan and Caoimhe O’Donovan hitting over from play and O’Sullivan slotting over a free.  Laois then opened their account when they found the net which settled any the nerves there may have been. Offaly continued to play their game impressively and on the 13th minute Molly Hogan fired over a point from a placed ball but a quick fire brace of points from Laois left them leading by the minimum at the first half waterbreak. 

It was in the next quarter that Offaly upped the tempo when they hit 5 points without reply with Molly Hogan hitting two and Amy O’Sullivan, Aoife O’Donovan and Aoife Byrne accounting for the remainder of the Offaly scores to leave them leading by 4 points at half time. 

After the break and Offaly continued their free scoring form and picked off a barrage of points so that by the time Laois next scored, Offaly had extended their lead to 11 points.  They replied to Laois’ point with a goal coming from Caoimhe O’Donovan. 

The last quarter continued to be tough for the Laois girls as they could find no answer to Offaly’s free scoring with the Faithful girls now find the net freely as well as adding to their points tally, the goals coming from Molly Hogan and substitute Fianait Dooley helping herself to a brace. 

Given their impressive results against Kildare and Carlow, Laois will not have enjoyed losing in such a manner to their neighbours but their management will no doubt have them well prepared for their All Ireland semi final.  Offaly on the other hand will be pleased to continue their winning streak and will look forward to their next outing with some confidence. 

TEAMS: 

Laois:  Aimee Cuddy, Sarah Cuddy, Annabelle Ryan, Abbie Gibbons, Aoibheann Dalton, Alannah Brennan, Ella Cuddy, Cesira Healy, Caoimhe Cuddy, Louise Bergin, Rachel Dollard, Aoibhe Hoary, Emer Dunne, Aoife Cuddy, Laura Phelan.  

Offaly:  Sophie James, Ciara Kilmartin, Cait Hickey, Caoimhe Ginty, Bronagh Konneally, Nicola Cleary, Ciara Maher, Aoife O’Donovan, Grainne Kennedy, Sarah Dillon, Amy Sullivan, Caoimhe O’Donovan, Molly Hogan, Aoibhe Carey, Aoife Byrne 

Subs:  Kacey Delaney for Sophie James, Fianait Dooley for Aoibhe Carey, Roisin Kinsella for Aoife Byrne, Caoimhe Quinn for Aoife O’Donovan, Stephanie Mahon for Bronagh Konneally, Aisling Hughes for Caoimhe Ginty, Aislinn Ryan for Cait Hickey, Aoife Liffey for Ciara Kilmartin, Katie Hennessy, Emily Conlon, Orla Kilmartin, 

Offaly scorers: 

Molly Hogan 1-6 (1 free), Fianait Dooley 2-3, Amy Sullivan 0-5 (1 free, 2 45s), Caoimhe O’Donovan 1-1, Aoife O’Donovan 0-1, Caoimhe Quinn 0-1, Sarah Dillon 0-1, Aoife Byrne 0-1, Grainne Kennedy 0-1. 

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