Tailteann Cup Prelim.Q/F Preview: Laois v Westmeath

Tailteann Cup Prelim.Q/F Preview: Laois v Westmeath

Written by Laois PR Team

The Laois Senior Footballers face Westmeath away in the preliminary quarter-final of the Tailteann Cup on Saturday June 7th at 5pm in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar.

Tickets can be purchased online here:

https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/buy/25cp0706

Tickets can be purchased in person via selected participating SuperValu stores:

SuperValu Stradbally

Breslin’s SuperValu Rathdowney

McConville’s SuperValu Mountmellick

McLoughlin’s SuperValu Portarlington

Mulhall’s SuperValu Portlaoise

SuperValu Abbeyleix

SuperValu Parkside Portlaoise

Live Stream: on GAA Plus.

Follow live match scores and updates on our official CLG Laois Twitter account: @CLGLaois

Manager Justin McNulty has named the following side to face Westmeath:

Recent Laois Stats (vs Offaly in Round 3) Courtesy of Eoin Culliton: @LeixGaelicStats on Twitter.

Mark Barry made his 70th league & cship for Laois senior footballers. Paddy O’Sullivan made his 60th overall appearance, Niall Corbet his 50th and Damon Larkin his 40th.

After his goal, Mark Barry has now scored goals against six different counties in the SFC, level with Donie Kingston, Willie Brennan, John McDarby & Steve Allen. Bill Delaney holds the Laois record of 7.

Damon Larkin’s brace was the first SFC double for a Laois player in a Kildare venue since Enda Condron scored two goals against Carlow in Athy in 1971.

Aaron McEvoy (0-1) got his first ever score for the Laois senior footballers in any competition.

It was the highest-scoring SFC game ever that Laois won.

It was the first ever football championship match involving Laois where both sides scored goals in both halves AND both sides scored 10+ total points (incl goals) in both halves. It’s only the 22nd championship match for Laois where both sides scored goals in both halves.

There were 11 lead changes in the game, equal highest for a Laois championship match (1995 replay vs Carlow and 2014 vs Wexford).

It was the 8th time since 1923, that Laois have scored last to clinch a championship game. Four of these were goals. Three were against Offaly. Two were scored by O’Dempseys players.

Since 1923, Laois have won four championship matches with a last minute goal:

1937 vs Offaly (Syd Harkins)

1964 vs Westmeath (Noel Delaney)

2005 vs Offaly (Ross Munnelly)

2025 vs Offaly (Mark Barry)

It was only the 33rd time that Laois have scored 2+ goals in the first half of a senior football cship game. Of those games, it was only the 4th game we were losing at HT. One was level and the rest saw Laois leading.

Round 3 Recap:

Laois: 3-18

Offaly: 3-16

Laois scorers: Damon Larkin 2-1, Brian Byrne 0-4, Ronan Coffey 0-3 (two frees), Mark Barry 1-0 (penalty), Niall Corbet 0-2 (two-pointer), Killian Roche 0-2 (two-point free), Michael Doran 0-2 (two-pointer), Paddy O’Sullivan 0-2, Padraig Kirwan 0-1, Aaron McEvoy 0-1

Laois subs: Michael Doran for Lacey (HT), Cathal Lee for Corbet (58), Jake Darcy for McEvoy (63), Josh Hogan for Knowles (74)

Standout Players (Laois)

In Defence: Paddy O’Sullivan at Right Half-Back

In the 1st half:

Paddy O’Sullivan’s pace and awareness were on full display early on, winning a crucial free that Ronan Coffey calmly converted. He also forced a vital turnover in defence, which directly led to a well taken point from play by Brian Byrne. Throughout the half, O’Sullivan delivered excellent man marking on Rory Egan, keeping him out of scoring positions and applying consistent defensive pressure.

In the 2nd half:

Paddy O’Sullivan made a game saving block to deny Cillian Bourke a near certain goal. He then pushed forward to score two outstanding points from play. In the dying moments, he won a decisive penalty, which Mark Barry converted: that secured the win for Laois. O’Sullivan’s second half contributions totalled 1-2, (winning Barry’s penalty and his 2 points from play) making him one of the most influential players on the field throughout.

In Attack: Niall Corbet, Damon Larkin & Brian Byrne.

In the 1st half: Niall Corbet opened up the Offaly defence with a surging run from the wing, towards goal, laying off a pinpoint hand pass across the goal. Damon Larkin showed great awareness and timing, palming the ball into the net for his 1st goal from play. Larkin’s clinical finishing saw him net twice in just 11 minutes during the opening half (his 2nd goal from play finished as a result of his brilliant long run) an explosive contribution. He added a point from play in the second half, rounding off a standout performance.

In the 2nd half:

Niall Corbet added a superb long range two-pointer kicked wonderfully off the outside of his boot, capping off a strong display. His pace and decision making continued to trouble the Offaly defence throughout.

Brian Byrne was a constant threat up front, showcasing sharp accuracy with 0-4 from play in the 1st half. Making the transition from centre back to number 13, he brought versatility and composure to the forward line. In the second half, Byrne also won a key free converted by Ronan Coffey and directly assisted Padraig Kirwan’s point from play highlighting his all around attacking impact.

Westmeath:

Round 1:

Westmeath: 4-24

Antrim: 1-17

Round 2

Westmeath: 0-26

London: 0-10

Round 3:

Westmeath: 0-18

Limerick: 0-19

Standout Players: In attack: Luke Loughlin scored an incredible total of 1-17 vs Antrim (0-13 from play, 5 two pointers). He scored 0-9 vs London and 0-7 vs Limerick. Total Score from the Round Robin games: a massive 1-33. At the back, Jamie Gonoud: brings experience and leadership to the defense. Kevin O’Sullivan in midfield: displays the ability to control the tempo of the game and link play effectively.

Previous Tailteann Cup Meeting: Round 1 on May 29th 2022.

In Laois Hire O’Moore Park:

Laois: 0-13

Westmeath: 1-13