Leinster SHC: Fitzpatrick inspires O'Moore win
May 22, 2010
Laois' John A Delaney gets in his stike despite the efforts of Carlow's Eddie Byrne during the Leinster SHC at Portlaoise.
Laois 1-13
Carlow 0-10
Newly promoted Christy Ring champions Carlow, showed no mercy in their return to the top-flight, and gave Laois a tough test, particularly in the opening half.
Ultimately it was Laois's greater experience and composure which propelled the O'Moore's into a last eight encounter with Dublin in a fortnight.
The O'Moore's lost Eoin Costello through a straight red card late on, but it mattered little as Laois had firmly gained a spot in the next round at this stage.
Kevin Ryan's charges fired two early Craig Doyle points, and led by 0-7 to 0-4 in the 32nd minute, after Denis Murphy added four points; with defender Derek Byrne also on target.
The visitors were far more clinical than their opponents, and dominated in the midfield sector, as Laois struggled to find their National league form.
Laois kept in touch thanks to the place-ball efforts of Matthew Whelan, but were wasteful in front of the posts.
The hosts amassed eight first half wides, as Carlow led by 0-7 to 0-6 at the interval, despite a flurry of home-side scores before the break.
Niall Rigney's stern words in the dressing room at half-time certainly worked to good effect, as Laois burst out of the blocks in the second half.
Carlow were left shell-shocked as the O'Moore's smashed home 1-4 without reply inside 10 minutes after the restart.
The O'Moore's showed greater hunger and quickly settled thanks to a Tommy Fitzgerald point, which levelled the contest for the third time.
Joe Fitzpatrick popped up for a well struck goal in the 40th minute, with the Rathdowney/Errill defender giving Carlow goalkeeper Frank Foley little chance, after some good assistance from Darren Maher and James Walsh.
Indeed Laois should have been further in front at this stage, but for a Willie Hyland 52nd minute penalty miss; after Fitzgerald had been dragged down by corner-back Des Shaw.
Carlow eventually opened their second half account with 14 minutes remaining, after Craig Doyle claimed his third point, to leave the score at 1-10 to 0-8.
His side continued to battle, but luck was not on their side with goalkeeper Frank Foley failing to despatch a 65th minute penalty, after the crossbar denied the Mount Leinster Rangers player.
Laois held firm until the death, despite a late goal chance for Craig Doyle; with a third point from the stick of Fitzpatrick sealing victory.
Costelloe's late dismissal following a tussle with substitute Richard Coady was a disappointing end to an otherwise positive Laois display, with Coady only seeing yellow; while the Laois corner-forward picked up a straight red.
For now Laois will savour in this win over their local rivals, but their manager Niall Rigney will be acutely aware that tougher challenges lie ahead, with Dublin next up on June 6th at Nowlan Park.
LAOIS: E Reilly; C Healy, D Maher, J A Delaney; M Whelan (0-4, 2f, 2 65), B Campion, M McEvoy; J Fitzpatrick (1-3), James Walsh (0-1); Z Keenan, C Delaney, W Hyland; E Costelloe (0-1), T Fitzgerald (0-3), J Brophy (0-1). Subs: J Purcell for Keenan (50); J Phelan for Delaney (61)
CARLOW: F Foley; A Corcoran, S Kavanagh, D Shaw; J Hickey, J Rogers, E Coady; D Byrne (0-1), M Brennan; E Nolan, E Byrne, D Murphy (0-4, 3f, 1 65); A Gaule, D Roberts, C Doyle (0-3). Subs: R Coady for Brennan (Blood 22-24); R Coady for Kavanagh (46); R Kelly for E Byrne (46); H P O'Byrne for Shaw (58); P Kehoe (0-2, 1f)for D Murphy (58); B Lawler for Roberts (65)
REFEREE: James McGrath (Westmeath) Tweet
