Byrne brace steers Laois past Antrim to Tailteann Cup final

June 23, 2024

Laois' Brian Byrne celebrates after scoring his side's third goal of the match ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Laois booked their place into the Tailteann Cup final thanks to a 3-12 to 1-13 win over Antrim at a sun-drenched Croke Park this afternoon.

Justin McNulty’s side will face either Down or Sligo in three weeks’ time after second-half goals from Kevin Swayne and Brian Byrne saw them over the line here.

Antrim had made the better start to this last four clash at headquarters, running up an early 0-4 to 0-2 lead as Colm McLarnon, Dominic McEnhill (free) and Patrick McBride got them motoring.

The Glensmen’s would be wiped away in an instant though when Byrne burst through the centre to rile in the first goal for Laois on 27 minutes, and the centre half-back’s strike stood as the difference between the sides at half-time (1-7 to 0-7).

The start of the second-half saw Andy McEntee’s men race out of the traps and firing an unanswered 1-3, including a coolly taken Patrick McAleer goal that saw them storming back in front in the 44th minute.

The Leinster side steadied the ship after that and Swayne’s punched goal midway through the second-half would be backed up by another major from Byrne late on to seal their final berth.


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