FOOTBALL was the principal loser at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, yesterday when Laois beat Clnre by 0-10 to 0-6 in this Division One fixture.
The success enabled Laois to retain their interest in the division" but was marred by the sending off of midfielder Tony Maher early in, the second half. Laois also had the misfortune to have two other players, Damien Delaney and Leo Turley, booked.
The opening period was far too robust with the players becoming involved in niggling incidents until referee Bannon booked three players. Early in the second half, Maher, one of those already booked, received his marching orders.
The referee's action appeared to take all the sting out of the game but Laois, taking more positive action, went on to win with four points to spare.
Clare opened the scoring and were two points to the good inside eight minutes. Laois recovered, however, and had levelled by the 15th minute.
The home side continued to dominate the exchanges throughout the second period and having led 0-5 to 0-3 at the interval, emerged clear winners. In fairness to the Munster men, however, they had the bad luck to see two good scoring efforts come back off the woodwork with time almost up.
Laois hurlers reached the final of the Walsh Cup when they beat Kilkenny by 2-9 to 1-7 in yesterday's semi-final at Rathdowney.
Resting their Glenmore, players because of next weekend's inter-club competition, Kilkenny never matched their opponents. A goal from long-serving P J Cuddy helped Laois to lead by 1-7 to 0-2 at the interval.
Meanwhile, Eamonn Morrissey's first goal for his newly adopted county failed to save Dublin hurlers from extra time defeat at Wexford Park yesterday.
Helped by early goals from Mick Morrissey and John Twomey Dublin led by 2-4 to 0-6 at half-time, but with Tommy Kehoe leading the Wexford attack, the scores were tied at 2-7 to 0-13 after an hour.
