Laois Minor & U20: Standout Players from recent Leinster Championship games.
Leinster Minor Hurling Championship Phase 2 Round 2
Next up: Round 3: Laois play Westmeath on Saturday May 2nd in Laois Hire O’Moore Park at 1.30pm.
Round 2 Result:
Laois: 1.10
Wexford: 6.23
Even though it was a heavy defeat, these are the positive and encouraging player performances from Laois worth noting:
Harry Donohue delivered a hard working performance in the back line at right half back, and his defensive effort was commendable.
Donohue made a number of strong tackles and interceptions to regain possession, while his defensive pressure and man marking forced some shots wide. He also produced quick and accurate clearances after turnovers, helping to clear danger and launch attacks in the same play.
Donohue also showed bravery and a willingness to engage physically without shying away from contact, as he put in the effort to battle for the ball.
Rian Dwyer made a noticeable impact after coming on as an early substitute in the 17th minute and deserves praise for his display.
Dwyer won possession immediately upon entering the field and continued to do so consistently throughout the game. This was combined with his striking of brilliant long, high ball driven into the full forward line, where Oisin Gilligan scored his goal as a result of Dwyer’s excellent set up.
Dwyer also prevented a score soon after with great defensive pressure, causing a Wexford forward to take to many steps , resulting in a Laois free out. He followed this with a block down and clearance, and then another excellent block and clearance. In total, he made 2 great blocks.
Round 1 Result:
Laois: 1.19
Galway: 1.23
Standout Laois Players v Galway:
Oisin McRedmond carried the ball extremely well from the back line at left half back, along with strong defending to win the ball back and clear danger through quick great passes: both hand passes, and puck passes. He also won frees out using his physicality and strength in possession.
Oisin McRedmond was fantastic in the air under high ball, and his great running was combined with the clearance of consistent and great long ball straight to the other Oisin: Oisin Gilligan; who was pacing up the wings: Gilligan in turn who found and set up LJ Cuddy, for some super scores.
Oisin McRedmond’s reading of the game was key as he ran into and guarded the spaces which prevented leaving gaps in the Laois defence, his man marking and defensive pressure also helped to keep Galway forwards out of simple scoring positions as he gave his opponents very little space to create danger.
Luke Hynes in midfield impressed to as he won possession from long ball: He combined back and forth with Bobby O’Connor, through quick hands passes and runs into space before Hynes struck for a brilliantly well worked point from play.
Hynes tracked back into his own half to help out defensively too and intercepted a ball from two Galway forwards after working intensely in the battle for the ball successfully, before winning a Laois free out.
Hynes scored a great point from play while under defensive pressure and used his pace to evade a Galway defender, cutting inside from out on the wing to score from a tight angle. Luke Hynes scored a total of 0–3 from play.
Rian Dwyer made a great impact again here as a substitute, like he also did vs Wexford a week later. For 2 weeks in a row, he put in strong performances as a substitute, brought on in the 2nd half on the 38 minute vs Galway, he won a lot of ball in midfield. He fought hard in defence too and directly set up LJ Cuddy scores.
Dwyer’s movement of the ball quickly made the transition from defence to attack look easy. His movement with pace, long runs to carry the ball effectively and sharp passing helped to keep attacking play going forward quickly and maintained pressure on the Galway defence, as Laois just fell short in the end by 4 points after a spirited performance.
Leinster U20 Hurling Championship Round 3
What’s next: Laois face Wexford in the quarter final this Monday bank holiday, May 4th at 2pm at home in Laois Hire O’Moore Park.
Round 3 Result:
Laois: 2.18
Meath: 2.13
Standout Laois Players v Meath
Right half back Donal Deegan and left half back Hugh Whelan, were both brilliant: particularly in combination play with eachother throughout the game: and both players complimented eachother excellently as both players elevated eachothers performances from great team work on display.
The transition play that worked seamlessly was when Donal Deegan struck outstanding long range and diagnol ball from the full back line accurately to Hugh Whelan. Whelan caught the ball cleanly before turning quickly and stepped by his opponents : to go on quick runs and had to be fouled to prevent Laois attacks, as he won frees in for Cormac Byrne to pop over.
Donal Deegan was quick to react to loose ball and completed turnovers after Laois goalie Dion O’Connor made some great saves and flicked away the ball to Deegan: Deegan held both the ball and held off the challenges of 2 Meath forwards applying pressure at once but Donal Deegan fought off pressure and carried and cleared ball successfully.
Hugh Whelan contributed in both attack and defence: produced a super score from play from midfield on a tight angle near the sideline as it had the accuracy and distance. Whelan’s long range passes found both Cormac Byrne and Justin Duggan for many scores. In defence, Whelan intercepted and scooped up loose ball, cleared danger quickly by winning frees out as a result of his powerful movement in possession.
Leinster U20 Football Championship Shield Competition: Andrew Corden Cup Final
Laois: 1.12
Wexford: 2.13
Despite defeat in this final, there was some really strong Laois performances.
Standout Laois Players v Wexford:
Ben O’Connor delivered a rock solid defensive performance at left half back: showing excellent anticipation with key blocks and interceptions. One turnover he created led to a strong attacking move, as he drove forward and set up a goal chance for Dylan Murphy. His pace was outstanding, bursting from his own half back line, he carried the ball all the way up the wing to the full forward line, even getting himself in front of goal, before delivering a dangerous pass across goal. O’Connor also provided quality delivery into David Donohue with a well placed high ball, and his intelligent runs inside helped win many frees.
Robbie Murphy in midfield: was once again really dominant in the air, building on his great display against Carlow in the semi final in the previous game. He was consistently strong in midfield, winning kickouts and also marks from kickouts, he played a key role in setting up scores. Ultan Dunne’s two-pointer came directly from Murphy’s kickout and mark, while Murphy also contributed with a two-pointer of his own. He showed great awareness around breaking ball, reacting quickly and often creating opportunities for teammates as a result of winning these breaking balls. Defensively, he put in a crucial tackle that resulted in a free out, forcing his opponent into overcarrying during a dangerous Wexford attack.
Dylan Murphy was lively throughout in attack at right corner forward: constantly applying pressure and making things happen. He chased down and turned over a Wexford short kickout, won multiple frees, and played a part in setting up scores. His goal came from sharp reactions to an Eoin Johnson rebound, highlighting his alertness in front of goal. Murphy consistently found space, using his pace to get away from defenders and create chances, including one that forced a good save as he was so close to scoring 2 goals here. His physical strength was also evident, as he held off challenges and powered through defensive pressure before accelerating past opponents.
