Laois 1-15 Kildare 0-8:LAOIS GATHERED their first brace of National Hurling League points in bitterly-cold Portlaoise last night. Kildare, losers last time out to Antrim, looked very sharp in the opening exchanges and went in front mainly through the accuracy of Billy White from placed balls but two turning points bailed out below-par Laois.

First, Kildare were awarded a penalty but a powerful shot by Michael Divilly screamed over the bar for a point. After 28 minutes Kildare were reduced to 14 men when their excellent full-back David Ryan was sent off on a straight red card which deemed very harsh by the management. Willie Hyland shot four Laois points and a great passing movement saw Tom Fitzgerald rattle the Kildare net for a half-time lead of 1-6 to 0-7.

LAOIS: E O’Reilly; J Delaney, D Maher, C Dunne; B Stapleton, B Campion (0-1), M McEvoy; E Jackman, B Dunne; S Dollard, C Healy, W Hyland (0-6); E Costelloe (0-4), T Fitzgerald (1-1), J Purcell; Subs. N Foyle (0-2) for J Purcell, J Dunne for E Jackman, O Holohan for B Dunne.

KILDARE: Byrne; P Reidy, D Ryan, P Keegan; D Burns, R Hoban (0-1), N O’Muineachain; M Divilly (0-1), B White (0-5); T Murphy (0-10), D Kennedy, P Buggy; P Moloney, D Harney, M Fitzgerald; Subs. D Moloney for T Murphy, M Moloney for P Moloney, E O’Neill for B White, B Aherne for N O’Muineachain.

Referee: D O’Driscoll (Limerick).