Laois dominate to run out 17-point winners over Carlow

Laois' footballers will have learned little from this crushing 17-point victory over neighbours Carlow in this Leinster SFC first-round tie at Dr Cullen Park before an attendance of 4,000 – a win in which nine Laois players shared in the scoring.

The visitors, backed by the wind, scored the opening six points, all from play, with wing backs Darren Strong and Colm Begley among the early scorers. A pointed free from Daniel St Ledger had Carlow on the board in the 16th minute.

But the superior pace, physicality and scoring of Laois manifested itself throughout, highlighting the gulf between division two and four league sides. On 26 minutes Laois centre forward Conor Boyle finished to the Carlow net as the O'Moore County went on to lead 1-10 to 0-3 at half-time.

Nowhere was the Laois domination more obvious than in midfield where Brendan Quigley and John O'Loughlin were complete masters. Carlow had the opening score of the second half, a Darragh Foley pointed free which was quickly cancelled out by a pointed free from Donie Kingston, who went on to top-score with 1-5.

Kingston's goal in the 55th minute put Laois 2-14 to 0-6 ahead before a fine individual goal from substitute Tom Shiel put the icing on the cake for Tomás Ó Flaharta's men,who now head for a meeting with neighbours Kildare in Tullamore.

Carlow were totally outclassed on the night and can only now hope for a favourable Qualifier draw.

This was the 29th senior championship meetings between these sides with Laois now ahead 22-7. CARLOW: R Molloy; B J Molloy, S Redmond, K Nolan (0-1); M Fitzgerald, D St Ledger (0-2, one free, one 45), B Kavanagh; S Gannon, D Foley (0-2, both frees); C Moran, E Ruth, D Bambrick; A Kelly (0-2), E Finnegan, D O'Brien. Subs: D Hayden (0-1) for Fitzgerald (half-time); D Roberts for Bambrick (49 mins); E McCormack for O'Brien (57 mins); J Kennedy for Moran (57 mins); D Moran for Nolan (injured, 67 mins). LAOIS: G Brody; D O'Connor, M Timmons, S Attride; D Strong (0-2), R Kehoe, C Begley (0-1); B Quigley, J O'Loughlin (0-3); N Donoher, C Boyle (1-1), E O'Carroll (0-1, one 45); R Munnelly (0-2), D Kingston (1-5, two frees), P Kingston (0-1). Subs: T Shiel (1-0) for P Kingston (53 mins); B Sheehan for O'Carroll (57 mins); C Meredith for Donoher (59 mins); G Hanrahan for O'Connor (61 mins); E Lowry for Munnelly (62 mins); G Dillon for Begley (67 mins). Referee: P Neilan (Roscommon).