Written By Laois PR Team
Hard luck to our Minor Footballers who despite defeat yesterday, made us very proud of their performances in this All Ireland Tier 3 MFC campaign.
All Ireland MFC Tier 3 Semi Final: Laois vs Westmeath on Saturday June 1st at 12.30 in Tullamore GAA.
The Laois team on the day:
Substitutes: Conor O’Callaghan for Jack Julian (42 mins) Jack O’Dea for Calum McElroy (48 mins) Sean Rowan for Tom Corcoran (58 mins)
Final score:
Laois: 1-14
Westmeath: 4-12
Westmeath: 4-12
Laois scorers: Ultan Dunne 0-10 (five frees), Calum McElroy 1-0, Darren Brennan, Seán Michael Ward, Tom Corcoran and Ennae Byrne 0-1 each.
Laois got off to a good start and led by 0-3 to 0-2 after 10 minutes courtesy of points from Ultan Dunne, Darren Brennan (with an incredible point from a tight angle) and Sean Michael Ward.
Fionn O’Sullivan was excellent in this period in the Laois defence and set up an Ultan Dunne goal chance that hit the crossbar and was cleared.
Robbie Murphy who was winning alot of ball in midfield to set up another Laois point by Ultan Dunne with a great pass forward, to leave Laois 2 points ahead after 15 minutes.
Ultan Dunne scored 2 more great points to extend Laois’ lead.
Then in the 22nd minute, Darren Brennan and Ultan Dunne combined to put Calum McElroy through on goal and he finished in style with the score now 1-6 to 0-4.
A Westmeath point from play followed by a penalty goal scored by William Scahill brought Westmeath back into the game.
A Laois point from play by Eannae Byrne followed by 2nd goal by Westmeath’s William Scahill left 1 point between the sides at half time.
Half Time score 1-7 to 2-5.
The 2nd half started with a perfectly executed passing move by Laois between players Hugh Connolly, Calum McElroy, Paddy Murray and Sean Michael Ward that resulted in Ward winning a free and Ultan Dunne converted the free.
This was followed by another Ultan Dunne score and Laois were now a point up.
In the next 6 minutes, Westmeath went on the front foot and scored 1-3 from play without reply, they lead by 5 points at this stage after 43 minutes.
Laois full back Ben O’Connor made a great block on William Scahill’s shot to prevent them extending their lead.
Ultan Dunne was immense on the day and got the next 3 points for Laois without reply. Then Laois centre half back Tom Corcoran who was impressive in defense, also went on to produce a lovely attacking moment and drove forward to score an excellent point from play.
Westmeath added another pointed followed up by an Ultan Dunne point from play immediately after for Laois, which left a point between the sides with just 5 minutes remaining.
Westmeath charged forward in the final stretch to add 3 points and a goal by James McHugh to run out winners on the day by 7 points. 4-12 to 1-14.
